About Us

Our History

Mrs. Mary E. Dunn was an educational diagnostician for Seminole County Schools for many years. In those years she encountered many children that were bright students, but had great difficulty with the printed page. This concerned Mrs. Dunn as she knew there was not a place that focused their instruction on meeting the needs of these learners. As a result, Ms. Dunn founded Pace Brantley School in 1972. In 2022, in celebrating of 50 years of academic excellence, the school named changed to Pace Brantley Preparatory School, to reflect the work being done to prepare for postsecondary education and workforce development.

Mary_Dunn_PortraitPace Brantley opened their doors to focus on students that needed individual attention, specialized teaching strategies and rebuilding of self-esteem. The school started with only ten students and two teachers.

Ms. Dunn retired as Executive Director in 1985 at the age of 75, but continued to work as the school librarian for many more years. The school continues to carry on her legacy by continuing to address the varied learning styles of our students.

Pace Brantley Preparatory School sits on nine acres of picturesque wooded land. Over the past 35 years it has grown from one small building to 7 buildings, basketball courts, Leadership Park, greenhouse, baseball and soccer fields. It truly is amazing how one dream can make such an impact of the lives of so many students. Ms. Dunn’s legacy will forever live on in the faces of so many students for years to come.

Pace Brantley Preparatory School is a non-denominational school that admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin. Pace Brantley Preparatory School is a non-profit, 501(c)3 school.

Mission Statement

Pace Brantley Preparatory School provides innovative research-based instruction, in order to maximize learning opportunities while building self-confidence; and to prepare students for long term life/ career readiness.

Vision Statement

Pace Brantley Preparatory School celebrates uniqueness, values the worth and dignity of every individual as we prepare them for success.

School Pledge

We at Pace, pledge to treat everyone with fairness, kindness and respect. 

Every morning our students say this pledge as part of the morning announcements. This pledge drives every action of our school.

Our Philosophy

Pace Brantley Preparatory School believes that learning disabilities should carry no stigma:

  • That if children are treated with dignity and respect they will feel positive about themselves;
  • That once they feel positive about themselves they will find that they can be more successful;
  • That with individual help and freedom from pressure, children can learn;
  • That some children with learning disabilities can return to the traditional classroom;
  • That some children whose problems are more complex may need special help indefinitely, but all can learn.