Exceptional Student Education · K–12
Special Education in Miami (ESE): Small-Group, Bilingual Support
Lincoln-Martí’s special education in Miami — the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program — serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade who have learning, behavioral, intellectual, or speech and language disabilities, with small-group and one-on-one instruction in English and Spanish. Families can pay with Florida’s FES-UA scholarship, which averages about $10,000–$11,000 a year in Miami-Dade.
- FES-UA scholarship accepted
- Speech & language therapy
- English & Spanish
¿Prefiere leer en español? Educación especial en español →
ESE · K–12
- K–12
- grades served by the ESE program
- 1:1
- one-on-one and small-group services
- $10–11K
- average FES-UA scholarship a year
- 1968
- over 50 years serving Miami families
Who it’s for
Who is Lincoln-Martí’s special education program for?
The ESE program is for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who need more support than a regular classroom gives: students with specific learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and speech or language impairments. Instruction happens in small groups and one-on-one, in English and Spanish.
Specific learning disabilities
Extra structure and targeted instruction in reading, writing, and math.
Emotional or behavioral disabilities
Positive behavior support and a consistent daily routine.
Intellectual disabilities
Learning at the student’s pace, with small groups and one-on-one time.
Speech & language
Speech and language therapy is part of the program from kindergarten through 12th grade.
What’s included
What services does the ESE program include?
Lincoln-Martí’s ESE program combines a structured curriculum based on Florida’s academic standards with a school-wide positive behavior support system, speech and language therapy, and clinical services. Staff work on each student’s social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs together, and families are part of the plan.
- Structured curriculumBased on Florida’s academic standards.
- Positive behavior supportA consistent behavior plan across the school day.
- Speech & language therapyAvailable from kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Small groups & one-on-oneMore attention for every student.
- Family involvementParents take part in goals and progress.
conditions qualify a Florida student for the FES-UA scholarship, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and specific learning disabilities.
Source: Step Up For Students, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique AbilitiesThe goal
What is the goal of special education at Lincoln-Martí?
The goal is to give students intensive support now so they can succeed in the least restrictive setting — ideally back in a regular classroom. Progress is shared with families, and support changes as the student grows. Many students can continue at Lincoln-Martí’s K–12 schools as they move up.
Paying for ESE
How can I pay for special education at a private school in Miami?
Most families use Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA), which Lincoln-Martí accepts. In Miami-Dade it averages about $10,000–$11,000 a year for most students, and students who need more intensive support can receive more. The scholarship can also pay for approved therapies, specialists, tutoring, and learning materials.
| Who can apply | Florida students age 3 through 12th grade (up to age 22) with a qualifying condition |
|---|---|
| Qualifying conditions | 24, including autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disability, emotional/behavioral disability, intellectual disability, speech or language impairment, and Down syndrome |
| Average amount | about $10,000–$11,000 a year (more for higher support needs) |
| What it pays for | Private school tuition, therapists and specialists, tutoring, curriculum, and other approved education costs |
| Where to apply | Step Up For Students |
Amounts are approximate averages based on 2026–27 figures and depend on grade and support level. See our scholarships guide for every option.
Enroll
How do I enroll my child in Lincoln-Martí’s ESE program?
Call Lincoln-Martí at (305) 642-1000 to talk about your child’s needs, share any evaluations or IEP you have, and apply for the FES-UA scholarship through Step Up For Students. Our team will tell you which campus offers the right ESE support for your child’s grade and schedule a visit.
- Talk to usCall (305) 642-1000 or register online and tell us about your child.
- Share recordsBring evaluations, diagnosis reports, or an IEP if you have one.
- Apply for FES-UAApply at Step Up For Students and choose Lincoln-Martí.
- Visit & startTour the campus, meet the team, and plan your child’s first weeks.
Google reviews
What do parents say about Lincoln-Martí?
Parents at our Hialeah center on W 45th Place rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 25 Google reviews. The five-star reviews below most often mention caring, attentive teachers, a safe and family-like environment, and how quickly children settle in.
“I’m so happy with this daycare. It’s a very reliable place, and all the teachers are lovely. Even the cook is incredibly kind and caring with the children. My daughter, being her first time at daycare, settled in in just two weeks thanks to the love and patience they showed her. You can tell they truly care for and love the children.”
“I’ve had a great experience with this daycare. They take good care of my daughter, she’s learned a lot, the teachers are very attentive, they play with her and give her different hairstyles than the ones I do. They’re kind, especially the director, Odalis. I recommend it 100%.”
“I love the professionalism with which they work; my children are always happy there and have also learned a lot.”
“Highly recommended, it’s a family-friendly and safe environment for children, my daughter is happy with her teacher.”
“The staff at the daycare provided wonderful care to the children. They are very professional and loving.”
“Excellent team of workers, very professional and responsible with the care of the children.”
“I’m delighted with this daycare; my baby loves going there, and her teachers, Dalitza and Rosy, are so caring and attentive to the children, as is the director, Odalys. Thank you for your love and for everything you teach her. I love that they do lots of activities and always take good care of the children. I recommend it 100%!”
“Excellent school, my baby’s teachers are very well prepared (Dalitza and Rosy), they always keep my child clean and well cared for, and the director, Odalis, is always very kind.”
“My daughter has been studying at Lincoln-Marti since VPK. It has the best principal, and the teachers are the best. I leave my daughter there with peace of mind because I know she’s in good hands. […]”
“My son has been attending this pre-school since he was 11 months old, he is now 3 and a half. The staff members are very family oriented and the teachers are exceptional. I can truly say I am extremely content with how much my son has excelled till date. Patricia, the director, as well as all of the teachers are beyond amazing!”
Five-star reviews from the Lincoln-Martí Hialeah (14 W 45th Pl) Google profile. Spanish reviews are shown in Google’s English translation.
Parent questions
Special education in Miami: frequently asked questions
Does Lincoln-Martí accept the FES-UA scholarship?
Yes. Lincoln-Martí accepts the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA), which averages about $10,000–$11,000 a year in Miami-Dade based on 2026–27 figures.
What happened to the McKay Scholarship?
Florida merged the McKay Scholarship into the FES-UA scholarship in 2022. Families who used McKay now apply for FES-UA through Step Up For Students.
Which grades does the ESE program serve?
The program serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and speech and language therapy is available at every grade level.
Does my child need an IEP to enroll?
No. Bring any evaluations, diagnosis reports, or an IEP you have — they help our team plan support. The FES-UA scholarship has its own documentation rules, which Step Up For Students explains when you apply.
Is the ESE program bilingual?
Yes. Students receive instruction and support in English and Spanish.
Can the scholarship pay for therapy?
Yes. Besides tuition, FES-UA funds can pay for approved therapists, specialists, tutoring, and learning materials.
Sources
- Step Up For Students, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities — stepupforstudents.org
- Step Up For Students, 2026–27 Scholarship Amounts (FES-UA) by District — stepupforstudents.org (PDF)
Let’s talk about your child’s needs
Our team will explain the ESE program, the FES-UA scholarship, and the right campus — in English or Spanish.