February review: Susan Said What?!
Susan Said What?! www.susansaidwhat.wordpress.com is a lifestyle blog created by Delaware-based freelance writer Susan McNeill. Recently, Susan enrolled her son at Back to Basics for test taking preparation. She recounted her experience on the blog, an excerpt of which follows.
“It’s hard for me to believe, but my son Matt will be entering high school in the fall. In Delaware, the choice-magnet-charter-private school competition is nothing short of fierce. He’s extremely bright and has top grades, so initially we weren’t concerned. He took the placement test for the Charter School of Wilmington (the state’s top academic public school) along with 800 other students for a chance at 225 freshman slots. When he didn’t make the 1st cut and was assigned to “interview status,” we were understandably worried (although after his interview he was accepted).
For his next placement test we targeted prestigious private prep school Archmere Academy (Vice President Joe Biden is an alum). This time we decided to take no chances – so we looked for some testing taking / test prep help, so that that he could do his best. Enter Back to Basics Learning Dynamics.
If you aren’t from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you’re probably not yet familiar with this firm. Back to Basics is the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring, homeschooling, testing like SAT prep and ESL instruction. For over 24 years Back to Basics has served the varied educational needs of over 11,500 children and adult students!
Matt was paired with an exceptional tutor who proved to be the perfect match — both in teaching style and personality. Sessions on test taking, timing, eliminating answers on multiple choice questions, and many, many practice tests later, we thought Matt was ready.
He took the placement test last week. Not only did he score well, he scored so well that he was eligible for several thousand dollars academic scholarship money. Not too shabby!
I can’t thank Back to Basics enough! Many of the firm’s policies and procures differentiate it from a Sylvan of Huntington – or really any of the big chain services you may see advertised. Although Back to Basics is small in comparison (just under 100 tutors) their careful matching of a student and tutor make a student’s success much, much more likely. In fact, Matt has made such dramatic strides in such a short time, that I think we will be continuing with weekly sessions to get him ready for the more challenging academics he’ll face in September.
If you want to learn more, you can visit them at www.backtobasicslearning.com. You’ll be glad you did!”
This excerpt was reprinted with permission by Susan McNeill, www.susansaidwhat.wordpress.com. For more information, please visit www.backtobasicslearning.com or call 302-594-0754.
Beverly Stewart, a Delaware-based educational entrepreneur and founder of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. was recently welcomed into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. The Hall of Fame honor is sponsored by the Delaware Commission for Women and is the state’s foremost event honoring outstanding women.
Beverly Stewart, founder of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. was recently asked to speak at the 2010 Women Mean Business Summit on January 30. The event, which will be held at the Hilton Wilmington/Christiana in Newark, Delaware, is an annual women-owned business forum sponsored by National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Delaware chapter.
The following is an excerpt from a recent interview and article on outstanding University of Delaware alums, including Beverly Stewart, ‘79 and ‘85. To read the article in its entirety and to see the other 9 outstanding graduates, please visit
Beverly Stewart, a Delaware-based educational entrepreneur and founder of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. was recently asked to join the Board of Directors of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. 1,700 members strong, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce is involved in government affairs, special events, providing emerging businesses with support and services, offering health and insurance benefits to members, and overseeing a wide range of programs for businesses of all sizes.
Beverly Stewart, a Delaware-based educational entrepreneur and founder of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. was recently asked to speak at the 2009 EDventures Conference in New Orleans. EDventures is the annual education conference held by the Education Industry Association (EIA), an organization comprised of providers of private education services, charter schools, investors, and others who are stakeholders in private education.