The founders of Bixby School and the teaching staff they assembled over the years, are committed to a philosophical principle that inspired the creation of the school in 1970. That is: It is more important for educators to encourage and cultivate children's critical thinking skills than it is to impart academic content.

At Bixby, an environment has been created in which the naturally inquisitive, open mind of a child is not restricted by exercises that set a predetermined path to success. The focus, rather, is on embracing the intrinsic way children learn by providing them the freedom to venture out, explore, and experiment in an unimpeded journey to knowledge. The merit in this approach reveals itself in children who are confident, creative, less likely to give up on challenges, and who, generally, have a deep understanding of concepts.

The faculty at Bixby is also committed to the personal development of each child. Classrooms are small, teachers know their students well, and achievements are based on individual ability. The school's academic environment is one where children compete only with themselves, not with their peers. Instead of grades or report cards, teachers communicate directly with parents, and a detailed report is written to each parent at year's end.

Mentoring is another important element of the Bixby culture. It is not uncommon to see an older child assisting a younger one or a gifted student studying with an average student, each child benefiting from the experience. Bullying is a rare occurrence.

The world of Bixby is a small but compelling one, where teachers view and respond to children as individuals, where children are expected to respect their teachers and fellow students, and where interested parents are involved in many of the school's activities. Most importantly, Bixby is a school where children can experience joy in something that is already in their nature, learning.