How to Choose the Best Swim School
Choosing the right swim school is not easy, as there are so many different swim programs out there. Location, of course, is a big factor but you may also want to consider the following:
1. Teachers Make a Big Difference
Before you sign up, research the team page of the selected school and try to find biographies of the coaches. Pay attention to the coach’s credentials, experience, certifications, and affiliations. Always request to schedule a free trial class before signing up – it’s very important your teacher is someone that both you and your child can relate to and trust. Experienced kids swim instructors can make a huge difference in your child’s progress and enjoyment.
Each teacher at Blue Gems goes through a refined and comprehensive certification and testing process to ensure students are receiving the highest level of instruction. Learn more about our team here.
2. Clean Facility, High Air and Water Quality
Always tour the facility before signing up. The foundation of great learning begins with a great environment. The water in the pool should be clear, clean, and at a “shiver-free” temperature. Also, it is very important to have fresh, “chlorine-smelling” air during the learning process. Don’t be shy to ask what water sanitation and filtration system the swim school uses as bad water quality can be uncomfortable and even harmful for you and your child’s gentle skin, eyes, and hair.
We care about your health, safety, & comfort and have built a facility with the highest quality equipment and thoughtful design in mind.
3. Student-Teacher Ratio & Swim Level Progression
When choosing a swim program, it is crucial to understand the size of the class, as it is very important from a safety standpoint. You want to make sure students receive enough personal attention from a coach. When it comes to student-teacher ratios, three-four students to one teacher is the gold standard, especially in the early stages of the learning. Also, it is important to choose a swim school that offers a variety of swim levels so that students can progress and grow as swimmers no matter what age and ability they join the program. Lastly, make sure to ask how you can monitor student progress and what you can practice at home to progress faster. For example, swim lessons for teens should include clear milestones and progression tracking.
4. Pool Size & Design
The size of the swim school’s pool and whether there are both shallow and deep pool areas are big factors when choosing a swim school. Ideally, your swim school pool design should have a 25-yard-long swimming pool with both shallow and deep-water areas that incorporate deep-water skills into their curriculum, which are crucial for water safety, confidence, and advanced swimmer development.
5. Family Owned or Franchise
If you enjoy your community and prefer a place that is more personable, family-oriented, and flexible – a family-owned and operated business may be a great option. While a franchise swim school may also offer good-quality swim lessons, they may not be so flexible when it comes to meeting specific student goals and needs due to standard rules, regulations, and corporate procedures.
Blue Gems is a premier boutique family-owned swim school in Norridge, IL focusing on infant, children, and adult aquatics development. If you or your child are looking to learn how to swim or become a more advanced swimmer, we would love for you to join the Blue Gems family!
