Miami-Dade Public Schools expand programs to acclimate migrant students

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Public Schools are bracing for a potential influx of migrant students as the district continues to recruit ESOL teachers and offers specialized programs to help foreign-born students acclimate.

Although official numbers for the current year are not yet available, the district told Local 10 News Tuesday it has the resources to welcome all students, regardless of how many arrive.

Over the past three years, the district has seen a fluctuating number of foreign-born students entering its schools.

During the 2021-2022 school year, 14,643 foreign-born students enrolled in Miami-Dade schools.

This number rose significantly to over 22,000 students during the 2022-2023 school year, before slightly decreasing to just under 21,000 for the 2023-2024 school year.

To address the needs of these students, Miami-Dade school district officials are utilizing the Title I Migrant Education Program, which was established by the county’s bilingual department, to support migrant students who face challenges in acclimating to environments with U.S.-born students.

The program provides a range of services, including the Newcomer Program, which offers a set curriculum designed to help new immigrant students assimilate into Miami-Dade schools. This program assists students with everything from school registration to language learning opportunities.

The district has also shared its ongoing efforts to recruit talented ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teachers.

In a statement, Miami-Dade School district district officials said, “M-DCPS continues to recruit talented candidates to help students whose first language is not English.”

Erica Garcia, Executive Director of the Migrant Education Program, spoke with Local 10 News about the district’s preparedness.

“Miami-Dade County Public Schools has several programs to handle the influx of new immigrant students,” she said.

Among the top three countries from which these students are arriving are Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti.

The district’s available services also include free lunch programs and after-school activities, aimed at providing comprehensive support to these students as they transition into their new academic environment.

As the school year progresses, school district officials remain committed to ensuring that all students, including those from migrant backgrounds, receive the education and support they need to succeed.