Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center has a proud history dating from the early seventies when an elementary residential program for exceptional children was moved here from the Hillsborough County Hospital. This beautiful thirty-three acre campus, nestled in Carrolwood, is supported by an inter-agency agreement between the Department of Children’s Services and the School District of Hillsborough County. The first principal at Dorothy Thomas was Forrest Suttles. He was instrumental in developing new programs for the students who were mostly in detention at that time. In 1972 the detention center was closed and the exceptional center flourished. In 1975, Mr. Suttles died and Mr. William Troutman became principal. Mr. Troutman and his able assistant, Walter Stevens, ESE Specialist, expanded programs at the center to include fine arts and vocational courses and alternative programs.

Today, students have the opportunity to take pre-vocational and vocational classes in Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Arts (Wood Shop), and Video Production. Kids and Canines, an assistance dog training program, is housed on the campus of Dorothy Thomas. Students must apply to participate as a trainer or dog walker.

Dorothy Thomas and the Hillsborough County Department of Children's Services have a long standing partnership that offers an on-campus therapeutic component that includes treatment counselors, a clinical psychologist, nursing staff, and a conculting psychiatrist.

Contact Information

3215 Nundy Road
Tampa, Florida 33618
Phone: (813) 975-7355
Fax: (813) 975-7361
Click here for driving directions and map

Quick Facts

Grades: Ungraded
Enrollment: approx. 130 students
Student Hours: 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Uniforms: Yes
Type of school: Special Education
Few of the students coming to this school are neighborhood students.

Vision

To create a positive, nurturing environment which will enable our unique population to control, modify, and shape their behavior through the application of behavioral and therapeutic interventions.

Mission

To nuture and foster each child's academic, social, emotional, and career growth through a comprehensive educational and therapeutic approach utilizing thematic, interactive, and multi-media instructional models.

Educational Themes and Focus

Theme / Focus: Specialized Behavioral Program
Philosophy: Individual Educational Plans for All Students
Instructional Focus: Focus on back-to-basics, traditional instruction

Special Education Services

Serious Emotional Disturbance, Language or Speech Impairment, Specific Learning Disabilities, Limited Intellectual Functioning, Multiple Disabilities, Other Health Impairments

Computer Technology

100 percent of the 32 computers available to students are connected to the internet.

Points of Pride

Currently, there are programs for elementary and secondary EH and SED students, both residential and day treatment. There is an alternative program called A.D.V.A.N.C.E. for middle school truants. The family atmosphere provided in this very unique setting, combined with small class sizes, a focus on building a positive self-image, and emphasis on basic skills helps these students maintain regular attendance. Some of these students are provided the opportunity to be part of another very unique program, Kids and Canines. Students who are chosen for this program train dogs to become handicapped assistance dogs. This program has been quite successful. After Mr. Troutman’s retirement in 1998, and with the cooperation of the Children’s Services Director, Richard Tribunella, the current principal has been pursuing opportunities to expand and improve services to the special population at Dorothy Thomas Center. The most recent addition is the A.S.S.I.S.T. program, an alternative program for new students taken into shelter care. We are proud to announce that Mr. Leonard Shearer, Dorothy Thomas veteran of more than thirty years was chosen Hillsborough County Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

Special Features

Small class sizes; Highly structured intensive behavior management system and therapeutic counseling component.