Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-38.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio3.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,837

Willis Peters Exceptional Center — Students at Willis Peters Exceptional Center score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in FL
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
4:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.