Bixby School, History

Harlan Bartram "Bart" was a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Illinois in the late 1950's when Congressional funding for math and science education programs (spurred by the space program) drew his participation. It was through his involvement with the School of Education that he first met educators who were as interested in encouraging a student's analytical thought process as they were in subject matter. Here, the "travel" was as important as "the destination." This fresh concept so motivated Bart that he began "demonstration teaching," a sort of touring math class for children, intended to spark interest in budding mathematicians and scientists. Young students immediately took to his interesting way of presenting concepts, and Bart, in turn, found new satisfaction in teaching. He developed a specialty in mathematics education and a few years later was hired by Jefferson County Public Schools to conduct his demonstrations at area schools. It was on one such demonstration that he first met Pat Baker.

"I remember being struck immediately by her talent as a teacher, the excitement of her students, and the attention she was giving to each child in spite of a challenging situation," Bart said. "It was rare to see a classroom of kids this engaged."

Pat Baker, an energetic young teacher out of North Texas State University, had been recruited by Jefferson County Public Schools in the early 60's and was using her creative talents to tackle the challenges of her combination 2nd and 3rd grade class. To accommodate the wide range of abilities within her classroom, she had developed a child-focused educational style that took advantage of everyday opportunities for learning. She had broken down the neat rows of desks, pushed them up against the wall, and created a large open area for group activities, measurement projects, and problem-solving exercises that used real-life situations to demonstrate concepts. She had also created subject and project groups that allowed weaker 3rd graders and stronger 2nd graders to work together without the obvious ability grouping that can strain a child's confidence.

Pat Baker today

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The two teachers began working together on educational projects, Bart focusing on a stimulating curriculum, Pat making certain that individual student needs were met. Their combined talents and passion for what they were doing made them a good team, and soon Bart and Pat began discussions of starting their own school. Their goals were clear: to build a curriculum that supported and encouraged children's lively intellects and to create an environment that was flexible enough to respond to the individual child. In addition, both wanted to provide stimulating before/after-school care that offered opportunities for growth and learning, an unusual concept at the time.

In September of 1970, Pat and Bart opened the doors of their school at the corner of Bixby Lane and 30th Street. All 11 students were preschoolers, most taking advantage of the before/after care provided at the facility. By June of 1971, enrollment grew to 35. From that point on, it was the parents of these preschoolers who propelled the growth of Bixby. Not wanting their children to leave the environment, they began asking for extended-care kindergarten, then 1st grade, and in 1974, 2nd and 3rd grade. Today the school offers programs for preschool through 5th grade.

Since 1978, Bixby School has been located on Table Mesa Drive at Moorhead, where it has recently been renovated with a new preschool, kitchen, office spaces, landscaping, and play areas. Bart remains active in the school's mathematics programs. Pat serves as Director as she has since the school opened.

"Growing Bixby into the school Bart and I envisioned 30 years ago has been a lot of work, but the rewards are much more striking," commented Pat. "Watching kids grow and learn each day, knowing that our program and teaching philosophy really work, and seeing the impact the school has had on our students' approach to learning, even 'post-Bixby,' is gratifying, both professionally and personally. We are very fortunate to have attracted such a talented teaching staff and so many interested parents who have helped us along the way."

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