Bixby at a Glance & FAQs

Bixby’s Mission

Bixby School nurtures children’s love of learning as they discover their individual gifts and prepare to make meaningful contributions to their world.

Location

In Boulder, take Table Mesa Dr. (or South Boulder Rd. from Louisville) to Moorhead Avenue. Moorhead Ave. is just west of Hwy. 36. Turn South on Moorhead Ave. The main entrance to Bixby School is straight ahead.

Address

4760 Table Mesa Drive
Boulder, CO 80305

2022-2023 Academic Calendar

FACTS

Founded: 1970
Grades: Preschool-5th Grade
Enrollment: 126
Average class size: 8-10
Student:Teacher Ratio: Preschool 6:1, Kindergarten 6:1, 1st-5th 8:1
Campus: Almost 3 acres
2022-23 Tuition: See Tuition Page
Tuition Awards: Over 20% of our students receive tuition support. See Tuition Awards Page
Graduates Enter: “Historically, Bixby graduates go on to attend a wide variety of public middle schools and other independent schools.” Recent graduates are currently attending:

• Alexander Dawson Middle School
• Altona Middle School
• Casey Middle School
• Friends Middle School
• MAC Boulder
• Manhattan Middle School
• Summit Middle School
• Watershed School

Careers:

• Engineering
• Science
• Arts
• Teaching
• Business Owner

Events: See our Events Calendar

FAQs

1. 1. What type of school is Bixby? Our school is organized around the belief that children are inherently bright, capable and kind. We embrace community, curiosity and collaboration in a program that puts equal value on the academic and the social-emotional aspects of nurturing the whole child.
   2. Do you have space available right now? That depends on the program and grade level. Please email Danielle, Director of Admissions & Advancement. admissions@bixbyschool.org
   3. Do you have after school care? Yes,  we have a wonderful after school program daily with a balance of free play and after-school programming.
   4. When do we find out if we are accepted? Once you have completed the online application, we then invite your child for a shadow day. The admissions committee meets after the visit and makes a decision about whether each student is one that we feel confident will thrive in our school. In general, admissions are on a first-come, first-served basis. However, when we have more prospective families than space available we will look at the overall makeup of the group and make admissions decisions with an eye towards building a diverse and cohesive class. We will offer enrollment first to our current families and then open it up to new families based on availability. Re-enrollment for current families begins in January. If it is helpful to speak with current families or other teachers before you decide to pursue admissions, please let the Director of Admissions know.
   5. Who are your teachers? Our teachers are wonderfully passionate about teaching and learning and they are well-qualified. Teachers teach in their respective content areas and share their passion for their subject with a wealth of effective teaching methods while fostering the joy of learning in our children.
   6. What type of incentive systems or tracking systems does the school have, if any? How does it encourage intrinsic motivation? What does disciplining look like?
      We do not use grades or token systems at Bixby, but we rely upon the natural curiosity within each child. “Rewards” come in the form of greater autonomy and choice over time as kids demonstrated they are ready for greater responsibility. This excerpt from our Family Handbook describes our underlying beliefs and approach to responding to student behavior: Behavior is a critical part of each child’s communication. At Bixby School, we view each child’s social, emotional and behavioral growth as a central part of the school experience. Our values of Respect, Responsibility and Empathy guide our classroom norms and actions, as well as our response to student behavior. While we expect students and adults to demonstrate these core values daily, we also know that people make mistakes. Growth only occurs when children are provided an opportunity to make mistakes and encouraged to take responsibility for their choices and actions. Our approach to student behavior is to first provide clear expectations and model them for others. We view poor behavior choices as an opportunity to learn and grow, and our response reflects this approach. Our first priority will always be to ensure the physical and emotional safety of all members of our community.
   7. What’s the expectation around Homework? We do not typically assign homework. In the younger grades when kids are learning to read, the literacy teacher will recommend books to read at home or over the summer. Occasionally a child may have an interest in a specific project and wish to continue working on it at home or if a child misses a significant amount of in-class work, we may discuss with the parent whether some time at home spent practicing or completing work is valuable. We believe that there is significant value to the time that kids spend on activities outside of school and want to honor each family’s ability to use that precious time for things that can’t be done at school, such as spending time together.
   8. Are there any partnerships that the school has in the community that provide opportunities for growth and learning beyond the school gates? We currently have several partnerships, such as those with Maker Boulder, Morningstar, Summit Middle School, Blue Sky Bridge and CalWood. In addition, we have a wide variety of community partners who join us each year. Earlier this year, we have had a family that is in the sustainable development field make adobe bricks in our preschool. Last week we welcomed an Indian dance troupe from CU. We are exploring additional partnerships, with an eye towards issues of sustainability and inclusivity. We were fortunate to have two vans which enable us to make frequent trips to local resources and partners.