Average
#1722 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 46% in state
Willis Peters Exceptional Center
School · HILLSBOROUGH
2919 NELSON AVE, Dover, FL 33527
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
3.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
3.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dover
#3 of 6
public schools
Florida schools
#79 of 260
In district
#127 of 286
HILLSBOROUGH
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Willis Peters Exceptional Center
Willis Peters Exceptional Center is a regular public school in Dover, Florida, located in a large suburban area. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and has an enrollment of just 55 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 3.9:1, Willis Peters offers personalized attention to each student.
There are 14 full-time equivalent teachers at the school. Academically, the MySchoolScout rating for Willis Peters is 3.8 out of 10, placing it in the 22nd percentile among Florida schools. The academic score is 1.2/10, with only 8% of students proficient or above in both ELA and Math across all grade levels.
While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the small class sizes suggest a nurturing environment focused on student development. Willis Peters Exceptional Center sits in a large suburban area where it plays an important role in supporting local families and their children's educational needs.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 55 students, Willis Peters Exceptional Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Willis Peters Exceptional Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 3.9:1, Willis Peters Exceptional Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Willis Peters Exceptional Center — Students at Willis Peters Exceptional Center score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Willis Peters Exceptional Center Compares
See how Willis Peters Exceptional Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
2919 NELSON AVE, Dover, FL 33527
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willis Peters Exceptional Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF PLANT CITY (rated 8.0/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Plant City), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW JERUSALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Seffner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Seffner), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DOVER ELEMENTARY Dover | 0.1 mi | 7.7 |
| BAILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dover | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL Dover | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Dover | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| WALDEN LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 2.7 mi | 8.4 |
| ROBINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| TURKEY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Plant City | 3.9 mi | 4.4 |
| COLSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seffner | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| VALRICO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Valrico | 4.6 mi | 8.6 |
| LOPEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seffner | 4.2 mi | 7.5 |
| SEFFNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seffner | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| TOMLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Plant City | 4.4 mi | 4.6 |
| CORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| BURNETT MIDDLE SCHOOL Seffner | 4.3 mi | 4.1 |
| LOPEZ EXCEPTIONAL CENTER Seffner | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| NEW JERUSALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Seffner | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| BRYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF PLANT CITY Plant City | 4.5 mi | 8.0 |
| IMPACT ACADEMY SCHOOL Seffner | 4.6 mi | 6.3 |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Seffner | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,658
Median Home Value
$347,300
Median Rent
$944/mo
Population
16,412
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willis Peters Exceptional Center has a median household income of $77,658. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,300, with a median rent of $944/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AVENGERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland, FL | 6.6 |
| BETTER LIFE ACADEMY Leesburg, FL | 6.6 |
| CARDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pensacola, FL | 6.6 |
| EAGLE NEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Panama City, FL | 6.6 |
| GOLDEN BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spring Hill, FL | 6.6 |
| GRACE AND FAITH INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Hollywood, FL | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willis Peters Exceptional Center
What grades does Willis Peters Exceptional Center serve?
Willis Peters Exceptional Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Willis Peters Exceptional Center?
Willis Peters Exceptional Center has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willis Peters Exceptional Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Willis Peters Exceptional Center is 3.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willis Peters Exceptional Center rank in FL?
Willis Peters Exceptional Center is ranked #1722 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Willis Peters Exceptional Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Willis Peters Exceptional Center has a composite rating of 6.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Willis Peters Exceptional Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willis Peters Exceptional Center has 7.5% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willis Peters Exceptional Center a charter school?
No, Willis Peters Exceptional Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willis Peters Exceptional Center a Title I school?
No, Willis Peters Exceptional Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willis Peters Exceptional Center?
50.9% of students at Willis Peters Exceptional Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (512/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 55
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.9%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hillsborough County
- Phone
- (813) 747-9462
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HILLSBOROUGH- District Enrollment
- 224,152
- Schools in District
- 305
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,590
- District Rank
- #127 of 286
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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