Chicago Swim School

I have had so many positive experiences at Chicago Swim School with instructors that it pains me to write this review, but it is one I feel is important for parents of young children to have.
My wife and I have had our daughter taking swimming lessons at CSS for a year and a half now and we have had wonderful experiences with Ms. Liz and Ms. Penny teaching her how to swim. We have always felt that our daughter was safe and learning important skills in the pool (such as breath control, back floats, etc.).
A few sessions ago, we were unfortunately unable to obtain one of the two above named instructors and ventured out, assuming the rest of the instructors would be of the same quality. We were very wrong. The instructor’s we have had have been ineffective and, in some cases, detrimental to my child’s safety.
The worst example of this happened a few nights ago during swim class. My child was pushed towards the edge of the pool and the instructor immediately turned around and headed towards the other end of the pool. Meanwhile, my daughter (who is 3) did not reach the edge of the pool and, instead, sank and struggled to wade water. She, thankfully, was able to gain enough momentum to reach the edge of the pool, but immediately started crying (as she was terrified of what had happened). The instructor AND the deck leader (the person who is supposed to watch for safety concerns) had no idea what had happened. In fact, the instructor asked my wife why my daughter was crying, stating, «Oh, did she put her head under water or something?»
I’ve had poor experiences with CSS’s administration in the past that I was willing to deal with, but this is preposterous. We immediately switched classes and got the runaround from the administration.

We had to miss a class. Two weeks now has been past and I still can’t schedule a makeup class. Horrible!!! I have to keep in mind and check the stupid availability every day. I just don’t have time for that. And the class is overpriced. Don’t recommend the place!

Not that impressed by having a new teacher mid session my son was improving with his skill and was quite comfortable and trusting with his instructor. It was especially important considering he is 3 and they are learning to go under the water. We also missed a class and tried to reschedule I changed my work schedule and reserved a class only for them to call me last min and say they made a mistake and put him in the wrong class the new time and class I was offered didn’t work couldn’t make it last minute so oh well for us. Also I’m not sure why the staff is allowed in the pool with there shoes but I saw this multiple this times not swim shoes or sandals actual street shoes. Overall not happy with the school or the way classes are taught and times offered won’t be back

The three things that Chicago Swim School lacks that led to our cancellation are: communication, observation and alertness. I would give an opinion about the refund, but that is life. It was worth the lesson to know my daughter is safe.

We had our daughter’s birthday party at the swim school on Northwest Highway. We were SO impressed with the experience. They explained there would be a life guard in the pool and one on the pool deck and that they would decorate in our color of choice and provide a Frisbee for the guests and a shirt for the birthday girl. We thought all of this was a great deal for the price. What we were really blown away by was the level of service. Every person that worked there asked us over and over again if there was anything they could do to help. They had everything set up and decorated when we walked in and helped us set up food and anything else we needed. All employees were smiling and happy the entire party and seemed to really enjoy being there. As our end time came near instead of rushing us out they played more games with the kids while we loaded the cars. Then they cleaned it all up! What a great alternative to the usual kids birthday places in the suburbs!!!

I would like to try my daughter — 5 — in your classes, but the times offered are impossible for school aged children. Nothing available at night or on weekends? seems ridiculous unless you are home-​schooled or younger children that stay at home all the time.

My boy nearly drowned in a class. The instructor just looked at him. She said «kids drink water in lessons all the time.» She also handled him roughly.
Tuition is overpriced. After yrs. and thousands of dollars spent, the business owner took side with the employee instead of apologizing or accommodating to find a better instructor.
Don’t waste your time and money. Do not risk your child’s life or health. Find a better place.

They have great teachers and demand excellence when moving children to the next level but good luck trying to get your child scheduled for a class. We have been with them for 6 years and it’s the same struggle every registration period and we have priority access for registration because of tenure. They fill up quickly the first day of registration, even for those with priority access, I can’t imagine how bad it is for those new comers or those who have not had 6 consecutive registrations. It’s just not worth going through that hassle every signing period.
As they have expanded, the quality of their customer service has become poor. I would not recommend them if you have something local as they give the same customer service as a local YMCA for triple the price.

The lessons here are so much more structured than the park district. and you also get more «individualized» attn even though it’s a group lesson.

CSS is very caring towards children teaching them very naturally. My older son was very afraid of putting his head under water and the transition he to not only putting his head under water and jumping in was tear free and full of laughter. Any parent that wants their children to learn to swim gently (quickly) should check them out. Glenview location has had some pool trouble but CSS has been very communicative about these issues.

I have three kiddos who have taken lessons through Chicago Swim School and we have loved it. My oldest is (12) and has been finished for several years, and my younger two (7) (5) are enrolled as our schedules permit. They have been extremely patient and gentle with my special needs child. You will get more from this school and teachers when you discuss goals for each session and remain with consistent teachers from session to session, but we have tried several teachers and haven’t had a bad one.

My granddaughter is 4 years old and can swim like a fish. Chicago Swim School has taught her respect for the water and how to enjoy the water. I love watching the little ones in their first lesson as they get rid of their fear and begin to enjoy. Each teacher has a special bond with their students and it is a pleasure to watch.

My son has been in lessons at the Arlington Heights location for about 4 weeks. The facility is clean, the swim instructors are great and he has learned so much in only 4 weeks. The lessons have surpassed my expectations and we will continue to stay here!

We have been a part of Chicago Swim School for two sessions now. My son loves going there. He loves all of the different teachers he meets from session to session. The classes are small so you know that your child will get individualized attention. The instructors are great at talking to you about the progress of your child and how to continue to encourage them. My son really has grown to love swimming after being afraid to go to the community pool before we started lessons. I highly recommend this place.

My son has been attending classes for a year and a half. It’s been a great experience for us. When he first started, he was afraid of going under water. Now, he is so much more confident in the water. The instructors are great at encouraging the students and praising their efforts. It’s been so amazing to watch my son’s progress.

This used to be a great swim school many years ago before the current owners took over. These days, you may get a seasoned instructor or… you may get someone who has minimal training. I have experienced sessions where my children thrived, others where it was a complete waste of time. The owners are not helpful at all in trying to remedy a poor situation. They are most concerned about getting your tuition fees. If you are unhappy or have issues, sadly you are out of luck. I also resent their constant attack to sell items that are unrelated to swimming. Having a «toy shop» at the entrance of a «swim school» just doesn’t make sense. Oh, you can also buy a Keurig pack for $ 1.50 at the entrance or $ 2.00 if you would like a cup to go with that cup of coffee. And if you would like to march in the Fourth of July Parade… you can BUY one of their t-​shirts for $ 10 – 15 for EACH member of your family to promote THEIR swim school. Like I said, prior to the new owners, this USED to be a great, solid swim school. Now, profit is their pure motivation.

I feel so sad that I have to change this review and subtract three stars.
My first experience with this business was in the old facility on Arlington Hts Rd back with my first son when he was around 1 ½ years old, now 5 years old.
It was a very fun and informative experience.
The instruction seemed well thought and was delivered at a pace geared towards the needs of the class. There were about five other kids in this group with one instructor. My son wasn’t the youngest at almost 2 but he wasn’t the oldest either.
Though he did not like every exercise and was timid with the teachers, we both learned a lot and I felt confident he was getting a well supervised experience with water safety.
Unfortunately it was the opposite experience when I enrolled my second son into the program a couple of years later (this last Autumn) at the new facility on Northwest Hwy.
The class often consisted of only my son. Once or twice there was one other young girl.
This time the instruction was not being geared towards my son. It was as if she expected us to know exactly what to do. It also felt like the instructor had no time for us even though we were the only ones there! It almost felt like she wasn’t even there mentally or emotionally.
Then in around the sixth session our instructor was absent and our substitute had no clue where we were in the instruction. She even reprimanded me for allowing him to go under water even though we had been doing it for several weeks through instruction AND he was doing it rather well.
I was so disappointed that I just stopped going. I didn’t even ask for a refund.
If I wasn’t in the class with my son I would probably still be singing the praises of Chicago Swim School.
The front end experience also seemed very weak and passive. They were always sincerely nice but just didn’t seem present. Not always a greeting when we walked in– even the first time I went in to enroll my second son.
I was excited at the thought of getting to use the new, dedicated facilities. I walked in and said I had an almost-​2-​year-​old that I wanted to start out in swimming instruction.
They didn’t seem to be ready to help me. I was hoping they would explain the process and the expectations I should have. They did not.
They asked me what class I wanted to enroll him in… I asked what class beginners under 2 should be in… They still didn’t seem confident. I assumed it was the Star Babies…
In our first class I was reprimanded for having my son in a swimsuit over rubber pants over a swim diaper. I was told that this wasn’t acceptable. I said, «ok», but nobody told me and this is what the park district (MPPD) pool requires. She said I had to purchase one of their swimsuits for pooper’s (she didn’t use those exact words). It was actually a nice suit that had the rubber pants built in but it was still just rubber pants with a washable diaper inside and a stylish swimsuit outside.
I bought two pair and am happy with them but it’s just the way they approached me… maybe because I’m a big ol’ intimidating papa bear.
I just felt like they seem to think they don’t have to provide customer service… consistently.
Hopefully it will change for the better or at the very least my situation was an isolated set of experiences.