SCHOOL'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the new school year. This is going to be both an exciting and challenging period for the Lincoln-Martí family.

At Lincoln-Martí we believe that the quality of any nation, state, city, community and family must be judged by the preparation and advancement of the individuals who comprise them.

Our system of education is based on the philosophy that successful student growth and development depends on the rationale for guiding such growth. We recognize that children need to develop their need for freedom within limits. Lincoln-Martí has prepared an environment that guarantees exposure to materials and experiences that promote the development of intelligence of each child, as well as each child's physical and psychological abilities.

Students are respected as individuals and they learn to respect others. The needs of the individual are strongly emphasized, as students are exposed to activities involving freedom of choice. Yet students are taught in classrooms to facilitate the socialization process. Students are free to create friendships and learn to respect each other within a loving and friendly environment. Love is fundamental to the development of the whole child.

The Lincoln-Martí family provides its students the opportunity to work, study, and participate in activities that facilitate their adjustment to a new culture and prepares them to become self-sufficient within it.

The goal at Lincoln-Martí is to provide the environment where students have the opportunity to develop the whole self with the abilities to face the challenges of adulthood. Through a sound bilingual and multicultural educational program; moral, urban and civic education; the development of a commitment to justice and moral values; an appreciation for one's cultural heritage; an understanding of the rights and responsibilities guaranteed by this great nation and the promise of freedoms enjoyed; a recognition and commitment to continue to grow intellectually with a spirit of success, we hope to prepare model citizens and the leaders of tomorrow.

Lincoln-Martí is registered with the Florida Department of Education, is a member of several education associations and accredited by recognized educational agencies.

The Lincoln-Martí facilities are licensed by the appropriate governmental agencies, and authorized under Federal Law to enroll foreign students needing   I-20 visas.

We invite you to join us in accepting the challenge of preparing our young people for the adulthood in the  framework of culture, humanity, moral and civic development.

Lincoln-Martí is an institution dedicated to educating the future of our community, both academically and socially.

The historical development of Lincoln-Martí in Miami dates back to the 1960's when Castro's tyranny in Cuba forced Demetrio Perez, Jr. to immigrate to the United States.  His parents who were educators in Cuba followed him soon after.  The Perez family quickly started to work in the field that they knew best, education.

When Demetrio was 15, political conditions in Cuba forced him to be separated from his parents as he traveled to Miami in search of freedom.  On June 3, 1962 Demetrio arrived on American soil as part of "Operation Pedro Pan" during which thousands of Cuban children left their homeland and the communist tyranny.

After having worked at various jobs available to immigrants (delivering newspapers, cutting grass, selling doughnuts on street corners, picking tomatoes, etc.), Demetrio began high school from scratch and graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School  despite his having almost graduated from high school  in his country.  Demetrio's first formal job was at a news agency.  He worked hard while trying to save money to bring his parents from Cuba.  Finally, after years of sleepless nights and arduous work, February 14, 1964, Demetrio managed to arrange for his parents' departure to Mexico City.  They stayed in Mexico City until April 5 of that same year, when they were finally reunited in Miami.  Twenty-four years later, Demetrio's father died on the same day.

Together in Miami, Demetrio and his parents, who were in their fifties, worked hard to realize their dream. In 1968 they established the first Lincoln-Martí School.  Demetrio's father validated his degree and earned another Bachelor's Degree in Education at Biscayne College.  That is how Lincoln-Martí began.  The vast experience of the family in public education gave them the perspective and vision to anticipate the needs of the coming generations; something that Demetrio affirms in saying that "education is one".  Demetrio's father died on April 5, 1988 and his mother perished on December 27, 1992.  They both had dedicated more than 60 years of their lives to education.

The Lincoln-Martí family education tradition continues within the halls of the many schools in the Miami-Dade County area that open their doors to educate and care for our children. To educate and carefully prepare our children has been the goal of the Lincoln-Martí family since its beginnings.  We have been successful in preparing students to become prosperous adults and respected citizens of our community.