Its original facilities were built in 1998, and ASPIRA opened in 1999. "ASPIRA" is Spanish for "aspire," and most of the school's students are Latino. An official dedication ceremony held in March, 2000, featured Puerto-Rican-born actor Jimmy Smits. The LA Law and NYPD Blue star recounted how he benefited as a child from a scholarship for Puerto Rican students and urged more positive portrayals of Latinos in popular culture. He cut the ceremonial ribbon with a cry of "Viva la educación!"