Learning how to think, write, and read does not have to be boring. 😴
For your child, more traditional tutoring may not be the answer.
They need systems, skills and a coach who helps with application.
When students are taught with the right systems and strategies, learning becomes engaging, effective, and something they actually want to participate in.
Your child should be building confidence, improving grades, and achieving long-term success with guidance you can trust.
⭐ At Back 2 Basics, we don’t sit next to your child and reteach homework.
⭐ We teach students how to think, plan, write and problem-solve across subjects.
⭐ Our time together blends play, structure and strategy to strengthen real problem-solving skills.
⭐ Students leave sessions more confident, resourceful, and able to implement what they’ve learned independently.
About Us
We are passionate about helping students reach their full potential by providing one-on-one, customized tutoring that adapts to each learner’s style and pace. With a focus on building confidence and mastery in every subject, we strive to make learning enjoyable and impactful.
The Roadmap Is Super Simple.
Students learn how to think, plan, write, and problem-solve through clear, step-by-step video lessons.
Then they’re coached on how to apply those skills in real academic situations.
This is how students become resourceful, independent, and confident learners.
What You Can Expect
Expert Teacher
Our highly qualified teacher, Mrs. Martinez, brings experience and passion to every session, ensuring effective, customized learning for each student.
Flexible Learning Options
From online to in-person sessions, we offer flexible scheduling to meet the unique needs and busy lives of students and families.
Proven Results
With a track record of improved grades and confidence, our tutoring programs help students reach their full academic potential.
Back2Basics Programs
Annotating
Courses
Unlock the Power of Close Reading
Great readers don't just read - they think on the page. The annotation courses for middle schoolers teach students the skills they need to engage deeply with novels, building habits that will serve them throughout their academic journey and beyond.
Through a structured, step-by-step curriculum, students learn how to move beyond passive reading and become active, critical thinkers.
This course covers 5 essential annotation skills:
1. VOCABULARY & CONTEXT CLUES
Students learn to identify and decode unfamiliar words using the text itself, expanding their vocabulary while strengthening comprehension.
2. CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Students track character development, motivations, and relationships directly in the margins building a richer understanding of how stories
are shaped by the people within them.
3. FINDING THEMES & SYMBOLS
Students practice identifying the deeper ideas and recurring images that give a novel its meaning and lasting impact in the reader's life.
4. MAKING PERSONAL CONNECTIONS
Students learn to connect the text to their own experiences, other works, and the world around them - a skill that brings literature to life.
5. Note-Taking Strategies
Students develop a consistent, personalized annotation system they can apply to any text, in any class.
By the end of the course, students will approach every novel with confidence, curiosity, and a pen in hand - ready to read not just for the story, but for the craft behind the scenes.
Ready to Go Novel Courses
1. Rebecca by Daphne DuMarier
2. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
3. Animal Farm by George Orwell
4. Ghost by Jason Reynolds
5. The Giver by Lois Lowry
6. Thunderdog by Michael Hingson
6. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
7. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
Reading and Writing
Courses
Writing Basics: Build the Foundation Every Strong Writer Needs
Good writing doesn't happen by accident - it's a craft that can be taught, practiced, and mastered.
Writing Basics is a comprehensive course designed for middle schoolers that takes students from understanding why writers write all the way to producing polished, well-structured essays of their own.
The course walks students through every layer of the writing process, covering six essential areas:
Author's Purpose
Students learn to identify and apply the reasons behind a piece of writing, developing an awareness of how intention shapes every word on the page.
Author's Craft
Students explore the deliberate choices writers make - from word selection to sentence structure - and learn how to apply those same techniques in their own work.
Figurative language
From similes and metaphors to personification and beyond, students gain the tools to make their writing vivid, expressive, and memorable.
Text Structures
Students study the organizational patters writers use to communicate ideas clearly, building both their reading comprehension and their ability to structure their own writing effectively.
Outlining and Note-Taking
Before a single essay is written, students learn how to organize their thoughts, take structured notes, and build a roadmap for clear, focused writing.
Essay Writing
This course culminates in guided essay writing, where students bring every skill together to craft well-reasoned, well-organized essays with confidence.
Throughout the course, reading comprehension is woven in because understanding how writing works makes students sharper readers, and being a sharp reader makes students better writers.
By the end of Writing Basics, students don't just know how to write an essay, they understand the thinking behind strong writing, setting them up for success in every subject they encounter.
Test Prep Course
Level Up Test Prep
Summer / Fall 2026
Test Prep Intensive: Get Your Child Ahead Before They Fall Behind
The transition to middle school is one of the most critical academic moments in a child's education. The expectations are highter, the pace is faster, and the gap between prepared and unprepared students grows quickly. Level Up Test Prep is a 6-month comprehensive academic program designed to make sure your child isn't just keeping up- they're sailing ahead.
Enrollment is limited. Spots fill quickly because the results speak for themselves.
Who This Course is For
Level Up is built specifically for 4th and 5th graders who are ready to get serious about their academics. Whether your child is preparing for parochial school entrance exams, needs to strengthen foundational skills, or you simply want to give them a competitive edge before middle school begins - this program delivers.
How It Works: A Two-Phase Approach
Phase 1 - Summer Skill Building (3 Months)
We start at the foundational level. Before students can excel on any test or in any classroom, the gaps have to close.
During the summer session, students receive targeted instruction in every core academic area:
Reading & Annotating
Students learn to read actively and analytically, pulling meaning from complex texts with confidence.
Writing Skills
From author's craft and figurative language to text structures and full essay composition, students become capable, expressive writers.
Vocabulary Mastery
Throu spelling rules, syllable patterns, roots, prefixes, suffixes, and affixes, students build a vocabulary toolkit that strengthens both reading comprehension and written expression.
Middle School Math
Foundational math skills are reviewed, reinforced, and elevated so students arrive ready for the rigot of middle school mathematics.
Phase 2 - Fall Reinforcement & Exam Preparation (3 Months)
As the school year begins, we shift into high gear. Students apply and sharpen everything they've learned while preparing for real academic milestones, beginning of year assessments, parochial school entrance exams, and December midterms.
No cramming, no scrambling -
just students who are genuinely ready.
The Results Your Child Will Walk Away With
Stronger reading comprehension and annotation skills
The ability to write clear, structured, well-developed essays
A mastery of vocabulary that carries across every subject
Solid math fundamentals built for middle school success
The confidence that comes from being truly prepared
An Investment in Your Child's Future
Your child receives six months of expert instruction, personalized attention, and the academic foundation they need to thrive - not just this year, but for every year that follows. When you consider the cost of falling behind, the cost of remediation of skills and the broken spirit, or the heartbreak of watching your child struggle when they could be succeeding, this program isn't just worth it,
It's one of the BEST investments you'll ever make in your child's education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects do you offer tutoring in?
We offer tutoring in reading comprehension, writing and test preparation for grades 5-8.
Are sessions conducted online or in-person?
We provide both online and in-person options to accommodate different learning preferences and schedules.
How are tutors selected?
Our teacher, Mrs. Martinez, is a 25+ year veteran teacher and mom of 3, who specializes in Reading and Writing.
She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Reading.
Mrs. Martinez specializes in partnering with parents, teaching students to have growth mindset, and using writing as a means to improve reading comprehension. She is extremely driven and has a passion for helping students succeed.
Can I customize the tutoring schedule?
Yes! We offer flexible scheduling to fit your availability, ensuring that learning fits seamlessly into your routine.
Success Stories That Inspire
Our personalized approach has made a real difference in the lives of students. Here’s what they have to say about their journey with us.
My son’s confidence and grades have improved tremendously! Mrs. Martinez is patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about his progress.
— Emma R., Parent
Thanks to her guidance, I finally understand reading concepts I struggled with for years. I’m more confident in school than
ever!
— Jake P., Student
The flexible scheduling and engaging lessons have made learning so enjoyable for my daughter. Her enthusiasm for studying has returned!