How do I know what level is best for my child?
The skills below are prerequisites for each level. To choose a level:
- Look at the level 1 skill list under your age group.
- If your swimmer can do those skills easily, take a look at the skills for level 2.
- If your child cannot perform all of the level 2 skills, then you would know they belong in a level 1. (Your child needs to be able to perform the skills listed below “all of the time” in order to be in the level chosen.)
*Remember that these are ENTRANCE SKILLS, not EXIT SKILLS. Your child needs to be able to do all of these things to BEGIN the level you are choosing.
*It is always better to start at a lower level and move up immediately as opposed to starting too high and missing the fundamentals of that level. Your swimmer may have many swimming skills, but submersions are of utmost importance when determining levels.
Grade School 1, 2, 3, & 4
Our Grade School classes are for swimmers ages 6-12 with all levels of experience in the pool. They will learn to be comfortable going under the water without assistance, learn how to swim with some support, begin learning techniques to keep them safe in the water while developing independence.
Grade School 1
- Little to no formal lesson experience
- Not comfortable putting face in
- Does not independently choose to go underwater
Grade School 2
- Comfortable putting full face in
- Comfortable willingly going underwater without assistance
- Comfortable floating on back with minimal assistance
Grade School 3
- Can do the skills below without any flotation or assistance
- Can swim 15 feet independently on front while putting face in and out to breathe
- Can swim 15 feet on back unassisted while kicking and using partial backstroke arms
- Has no formal freestyle or backstroke skills
Grade School 4 (ages 6-12)
- Can swim freestyle 15 feet with rolling on back breathing
- Can independently swim 15 feet of backstroke
- Can independently float on back for safety for 45 seconds
- Has a previous introduction to breaststroke kick and dolphin kick
If your child has already mastered all of these skills, they may be eligible for our Advanced classes. Click here for our Advanced class prerequisites. If your child has not yet met Advanced 5 prerequisites, register for a level 4 class.