Our Mission

Helping Students Build Confidence Through Mathematics

Mathematics is more than formulas and calculations—it’s a way of thinking.

Our mission is to provide educators with high-quality instructional materials that inspire curiosity, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and help every student reach their full potential.

Because when students understand mathematics, they gain confidence that extends far beyond the classroom.

Our Story

Bates Publishing Company LLC was founded in the 1980s by Nathaniel “Buddy” Bates, whose vision was to bring clear, rigorous math instruction into classrooms across the country. His wife, Mary Bates, worked alongside him from the earliest days, helping build the company from the ground up.

Over the decades, Bates Publishing became known for its math textbooks by respected authors Arthur Weeks and Jackson Adkins, whose work has shaped how generations of students learn mathematics.

Today, the company is owned and run by Buddy and Mary’s son, Brad Bates, and his wife, Lisa Bates, who carry forward the founders’ commitment to quality and clarity in math education. Rooted in strong values and a passion for teaching, Bates Publishing Company continues to serve educators and students with the same dedication that built it.