Waterbury is making history by officially naming one of its schools after a Hispanic role model. You can expect to see signs for Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School in the next academic year after the city's Board of Education approved the changed in a 9-1 vote.
| Roberto Clemente is a symbol of pride, heroism, brilliance, and so much more to the Puerto Rican and Latino communities. In addition to being a Hall of Fame baseball player, Clemente was committed to humanitarian work, civic engagement, and racial equality on and off the diamond.
Naming a school in his honor serves as an inspiration to students, emphasizing values like perseverance, generosity, and the importance of community service in a district where more than 60% of the student population is of Hispanic descent. |
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| I am grateful for the outpouring of community support in our efforts to name a school after Roberto Clemente. This decision makes it clear the community has been heard, and I am proud of everyone who took part in this process. Clemente was a spokesman for people of color, and having his name on a school in Waterbury promotes equality and inclusivity. |
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| About nine out of ten students at the soon-to-be Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School are either Latino, Black, Native American, or Asian. The school has a 50/50 dual language immersion model where students listen, speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish with the goal of being bilingual, just like Clemente. |
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| In February, the school will open its lottery as part of its selection process for the fall. Please scan the QR code or CLICK HERE for the lottery enrollment link, which will be available from February 1 through March 1. Parents can visit the school at 116 Beecher Avenue before entering the lottery. All of that information is below. |
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