At the heart of The Antioch School is the belief that learning is experiential and that children grow from and are strengthened by experimentation. And that is why at The Antioch School the mind and body are integrated in the learning process. The entire school uses a holistic approach to learning.

The Antioch School philosophy is based upon the ideals of respect and trust. The teachers respect the children as individual learners and are alert to an individual child's readiness and strive to challenge him or her accordingly. The teachers actively recognize that children love to learn and that this sense of adventure can be lost when a child is pushed to grapple with things they aren't ready for. Children are encouraged to approach a problem at their own pace but are also challenged to excel. The school is non-punitive, providing feedback rather than grades, and creating an atmosphere of success and personal responsibility.

The children are empowered as they take responsibility for themselves as learners and community members; with this responsibility comes freedom and trust which they don't want to betray. The children trust the teachers to support and encourage them in their intellectual, social and physical learning. As Don Goldstein, parent of a former student who came to The Antioch School after attending another school noted, "The Antioch School was the first school where my child had to take some responsibility for her own learning. Because the teachers give the kids a certain amount of freedom, they are more willing to be responsible."