The top reported proficiency rate is 17% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Roberto Clemente Cs
Roberto Clemente Charter School is a K-12 charter school in downtown Allentown that serves a student body that is overwhelmingly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. Virtually all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is steady across grades, holding at roughly the same size in each year group from kindergarten through high school, with a total population that is typical for a school serving this grade span.
The school's academic results are notably low. In mathematics, students in grades 3 through 8 scored at a proficiency rate well below the state threshold. In English language arts, proficiency was similarly depressed, with only a small share of tested students meeting grade-level standards. Positioned against other districts in Lehigh County, RCCS's overall proficiency sits in the bottom quartile. These results suggest that students here are struggling to master core content at grade level, and a parent considering enrollment should discuss with the school what academic supports, interventions, and curriculum approaches it has in place to address this gap. The school's website indicates it has filed an intent to renew its charter, a foundational decision about the school's continuation that families should be aware of.
The school operates in downtown Allentown at the address 136 South 4th Street. Downtown Allentown is a mixed-use neighborhood with high walkability, particularly along Hamilton Street, which is a major civic and retail corridor that has undergone recent streetscape improvements. The Arts Walk connects cultural venues including the Allentown Art Museum, Miller Symphony Hall, and the PPL Center arena. The city is in active revitalization, driven partly by the downtown Neighborhood Improvement Zone, and has seen substantial investment in new apartments, offices, and mixed-use developments in recent years. Major employers in the region include Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products, and PPL Corporation. Housing values in the 18102 zip code are below both state and national benchmarks, and rents have been rising moderately. The city has a documented shortage of affordable housing and is working to increase housing supply through revised zoning.
Beginning in 2024-25, RCCS students in grades 6 through 12 gained free access to LANTA bus services using a school-issued ID, providing flexibility for arrival, after-school activities, sports, internships, and dual enrollment. The school day runs from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with early dismissals at 1:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month for staff professional development. Families should plan childcare and after-school logistics around this recurring early release.
No data on the graduation rate, chronic absenteeism, special education enrollment, or English learner count were available in the records reviewed. The school does not report course offerings, career pathways, or staffing details. A parent exploring enrollment should ask the school directly about these aspects of school life.
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