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Top 5 Best Special Needs Schools in Pembroke Pines, Florida (2026)

Compare 5 special needs schools in Pembroke Pines. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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Miami Learning Experience School
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Miami Learning Experience School

Special education school

Serving Pembroke Pines, FLAges 4-55:1 ratio

Miami Learning Experience School is a dedicated educational institution serving children and adults with special needs. Established in 1977, the school is committed to providing a nurturing environment that recognizes and cultivates the unique capabilities of each student. The core mission is to offer personalized care and tailored programs that empower individuals to achieve their educational and personal goals. Key offerings at Miami Learning Experience School include a variety of specialized programs designed to meet the diverse needs of students. These programs encompass: - Interactive Fine Arts Program, fostering creativity and self-expression through visual arts, music, drama, and performing arts - Daily Living Skills training, equipping students with essential life skills in a fully equipped residential-style learning environment - Community Based Instruction (CBI), providing real-world learning experiences at local stores and community locations - Volunteer Job Sites and On-The-Job Training, promoting community engagement and vocational training with job coaches - Special Olympics participation, encouraging physical fitness and teamwork through various sports including track and field, golf, tennis, softball, bowling, and basketball - The Shannon Adult Program, supporting adults with developmental disabilities through functional academics, independent living skills, employment opportunities, and social/leisure activities - Miami Learning Experience Designs, a micro business program where adults learn economics, supply and demand, and business operations while creating and selling resin art products - Continuing Education opportunities for lifelong learning The school maintains an exceptional 5:1 student-instructor ratio for K-12 programs (10:1 for adult programs), ensuring that each student receives individualized attention and support. All teachers are certified by the State of Florida in Exceptional Student Education. The school provides Academic Service Plans (ASP) updated four times per year, similar to traditional IEPs, with one-on-one family collaboration. The campus environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, featuring specialized technology including interactive Promethean Boards in every classroom, a full bedroom, washer and dryer, full-working kitchen, and bathroom for teaching independent living skills. Miami Learning Experience School offers comprehensive support services including before school care (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM), after school care (2:30 PM - 6:00 PM), enrichment programs, and a summer camp program providing enriching activities, field trips, and socialization opportunities. The school operates year-round, closing only for brief periods between semesters. Financial assistance is available, with over 55% of students receiving financial aid. The school proudly participates in the Step Up for Students (FES-UA) scholarship program. Tuition ranges from $9,300 for part-time adult programs to $29,000 for full-time K-12 programs. This comprehensive approach to education, vocational training, and life skills development makes Miami Learning Experience School a unique and valuable resource for families seeking the best options for their children and adults with special needs.

Claimed ProfileFunding OptionsTransportation AvailableAccredited
Autism Spectrum DisorderCerebral PalsyDevelopmental DisabilitiesDown Syndrome
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Mountaineers School of Autism featured cover
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Mountaineers School of Autism

Special education school

Serving Pembroke Pines, FLup to age 22$35,000 per year

Mountaineer's School of Autism is a dedicated educational institution focused on providing a nurturing and supportive environment for children with autism and related developmental challenges. The school's core mission is to empower students by fostering their academic, social, and emotional growth through individualized learning approaches and comprehensive therapeutic services. Key offerings at Mountaineer's School of Autism include a range of specialized programs designed to meet the unique needs of each student. These programs encompass Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills groups. Additionally, the school provides academic instruction tailored to various learning styles, incorporating technology such as iPads to enhance learning experiences. Students also benefit from extracurricular activities, including athletics, music, and independent living skills training, ensuring a well-rounded education. What sets Mountaineer's School of Autism apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, allowing for personalized attention and support. The school fosters a collaborative community where students can thrive alongside their peers, supported by a team of compassionate educators and therapists. With a focus on building friendships and encouraging personal growth, Mountaineer's School of Autism is a place where children can truly reach their potential in a safe and loving environment. Mountaineer's School of Autism is a dedicated special education institution in West Palm Beach, Florida. We provide a nurturing, supportive environment tailored to students on the autism spectrum, with programs spanning athletics, music, Spanish and sign language, technology (including iPads), academics, social skills, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and individualized learning. Our team helps each student grow academically, socially, and emotionally in a community built on friendship, support, patience, and love.

Claimed ProfileFunding OptionsTransportation AvailableAccredited
Autism (ASD)ADD/ADHDNeurotypicalSpecial Needs
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Divine Academy

Special education school

Listed

Pembroke Pines, FL • Ages 6-12

Divine Academy is a private educational institution dedicated to serving neurodivergent students, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other learning challenges. The academy's core mission is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where students can thrive academically and socially, empowering them with essential life skills that promote independence. Divine Academy offers a range of tailored programs designed for students in grades 3-12, focusing on both academic achievement and personal development. Key offerings include: - A structured academic curriculum that accommodates various learning styles. - Life skills training, covering essential topics such as money management, public transportation, and effective communication. - Social skills groups that foster peer interaction and relationship-building. - Small class sizes to ensure individualized attention and support for each student's unique needs. - Options for both regular diploma tracks and special diploma tracks, catering to the diverse requirements of neurodivergent learners. What sets Divine Academy apart is its commitment to providing a nurturing and safe learning environment. The school boasts a low student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized instruction and support. Additionally, the academy is accredited by Cognia, recognized as a School of Distinction, and is equipped with specialized technology to enhance learning experiences. The focus on community integration and vocational training further prepares students for successful transitions into adulthood, making Divine Academy a valuable resource for families seeking the best educational options for their children.

Support: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Private

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Learning Village

Preschool

Listed

Pembroke Pines, FL • Ages 2-5

The Learning Village in Pembroke Pines is dedicated to providing exceptional early childhood education for children aged 0 to 12 years, focusing on fostering a nurturing and safe environment where each child can thrive. With a mission centered on holistic development, the school offers full-time and part-time programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, along with enriching after-school care and seasonal camps for older children. The curriculum emphasizes STEAM education through play-based learning and sensory activities, cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity from an early age. The skilled and caring educators at The Learning Village are committed to promoting psychosocial growth by nurturing emotional intelligence, social skills, independence, and self-esteem in every child. A unique aspect of the school is its strong emphasis on family partnership; recognizing that collaboration with families is essential for supporting children's growth and independence. With a low student-teacher ratio and specialized facilities designed to enhance learning experiences, The Learning Village stands out as a trusted choice for parents seeking high-quality early education in a supportive community atmosphere.

Support: Private

5

Tanglewood Academy

Preschool

Listed

Pembroke Pines, FL • Ages 2-5

Tanglewood Academy, located in Pembroke Pines, has been a cornerstone of early childhood education for over 30 years, dedicated to fostering a safe and stimulating environment for toddlers and young children. The academy's core mission is to inspire learning through engaging programs that promote educational, physical, emotional, and social development. Serving children from toddler age through first grade, Tanglewood Academy addresses various learning needs with an emphasis on relevance and expansion instead of rote memorization. The school's A.P.P.L.E. accreditation and the state of Florida's Gold Seal of Excellence reflect its commitment to high standards in early education. With a low student-to-teacher ratio, each child receives personalized attention while also benefiting from ample opportunities for social interaction. Tanglewood Academy values strong partnerships with families, maintaining open communication and inviting parental involvement in their children's learning journeys. Unique features such as a spacious playground and after-school programs further enhance the educational experience, making Tanglewood Academy not just a school but a nurturing community where children can thrive and discover new heights in their development.

Support: Private

Planning guides

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Pembroke Pines

How do Pembroke Pines charter schools fit into the ESE picture?
Pembroke Pines operates an unusually large city-run charter school system, which makes the public options here more varied than in most Broward communities. The point families most often miss is that charter schools are public schools. They must serve eligible students with disabilities, follow IEPs, and participate in Child Find, exactly as a traditional Broward campus does. What varies is the depth of programming any individual charter can staff, so ask what is delivered on that campus rather than what the district offers countywide.
Who is responsible for evaluating my child if they attend a charter school?
The obligation sits with the public system, and in practice the charter coordinates with Broward County Public Schools to carry out the evaluation. Your written request should go to the school, and the same 60 calendar day timeline from signed consent applies, excluding holidays, breaks, and summer. Being at a charter does not shorten or lengthen the entitlement, though a small campus may have fewer evaluators on hand, so confirm the date rather than assuming. Broward County Public Schools ESE
Can we keep a public charter seat and use FES-UA at the same time?
Generally no. The scholarship is designed for students who are not enrolled full-time in a public school, and charter schools are public, so families typically have to choose rather than combine. This catches people out because charters feel like an alternative to the district rather than part of it. Confirm the current rule with the administering organization before withdrawing from anything, since the sequencing of enrollment and award acceptance matters.
What should I compare between a charter and a private special-needs school?
Compare obligation against specialization. A charter must serve your child and must follow the IEP, but was probably not built around a specific disability profile. A private special-needs school often was, but is under no obligation to keep your child if the fit deteriorates. Ask a charter how many students with your child's profile it currently serves; ask a private school how many it has asked to leave.
Where can families in southwest Broward get free guidance?
UM-NSU CARD covers Broward County at no charge, and its Nova Southeastern site in nearby Davie is close to Pembroke Pines. Support is consultative, covering school meetings, community referrals, and understanding a diagnosis. UM-NSU CARD

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