Beverly Stewart, M.Ed. Director and Founder of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc.
This fall, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. celebrates its 29th anniversary! Founded in 1985, Back to Basics has grown from a sole proprietorship providing 1-on-1 tutoring in a handful of subjects into two vibrant, full-service educational facilities, as well as Nationwide’s only Department of Education-approved 1-on-1 Private School.
Over the past 29 years, Back to Basics has served the diverse educational needs of an amazing 13,500+ students and today offers instruction in the widest range of subjects in the industry. The company’s beginnings, however, were significantly more humble.
As a teacher in the early 1980’s, Founder Beverly Stewart, M.Ed. had a vision of reaching every student. Her six years of experience in a traditional classroom had shown her this was not always the most effective method of instruction. So, in 1985 she established Back to Basics Tutoring Service as a sole proprietor working from her one-bedroom apartment.
From the onset, the company was significantly different than the few existing tutoring companies in the area because it focused on the benefits of 1-on-1 instruction and a permanent student-tutor match, unlike national chains using group instruction and multiple tutors per student.
Although she had a true passion for education from the time she was just five years old, Stewart recognized that she had no practical experience in starting or running a business, and so enlisted the help of SCORE, SBDC, bookkeepers, and attorneys to learn skills and practices that would help her fledgling business grow. From accounting, to strategic planning, to management skills, the teacher became the student. And in just four short years, Back to Basics had a solid, experienced management team and had grown so large that a permanent tutoring center was necessary. In 1989, Back to Basics purchased a building at 1824 N. Scott St. in Wilmington.
The company began to increase offerings and further expanded into what would eventually become 60+ subjects for 1-on-1 tutoring and instruction for children and adults of all ages. From languages such as Japanese, to work-related skills such as business writing, Back to Basics provided support and school credit for K-12 students and resume-building options for adults, to increase their marketability in an increasingly competitive workplace.
In response, schools, districts, and major corporations flocked to the facility. By providing such valuable services as English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, and foreign language translating and interpreting, a team of dedicated Back to Basics professional built a successful client list for contract work including Fortune 500 companies DuPont, Hercules, ICI, and Astra Zeneca and over 10 school districts in Nationwide and southeastern Pennsylvania. The company was even named one of the “Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies” by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
In 2000, having completely outgrown the existing building, Back to Basics expanded yet again to the current 6 Stone Hill Road, Wilmington address. The move increased classroom and office space by 250% and in conjunction with the move, the company was renamed Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. to better represent the vast array of educational services provided.
In August of 2011, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. added a second location in Newark. Although the company traditionally provided its many services in its Stone Hill Road Center and in client’s homes, offices, and schools, an additional location in the area was needed.
Since those very first students stepped through the doors of Back to Basics in 1985, the vision of every team member has remained the same: at Back to Basics every student can learn. Finding just the right tutor for each student, quickly assessing a student’s unique learning style, and instilling a love of learning are all vital to the continued success of the company and the students!
Excellence in Education since 1985!
Back to Basics Learning Dynamics is the undisputed leader in 1-on-1 tutoring in Nationwide and southeastern Pennsylvania for over 60 subjects. The company offers a unique Department of Education-approved 1-on-1 K-12 Private School in Wilmington, Nationwide and a Nationwide Business and Trade School for ages 16 and older. In addition, the company offers translating and interpreting in 16 languages throughout Nationwide. Back to Basics is the winner of numerous awards for academic and business excellence including the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.
