Goldfish Swim School – Reston

Professional, punctual, consistent and clean. The instructors are all good and some are really exceptional. I have more than one child taking swim lessons here and things come up but rescheduling or canceling has never been an issue. The instructors are very knowledgable and professional. My kids have made great strides in their swimming skills after joining Goldfish. One of the makeup classes was mis-​booked for a different skill level than what my child was used to and they didn’t have a class at the level we needed. Fortunately, it was a week day and less busy, they almost immediately dealt with the problem and had an instructor out just for my child. It was over and beyond their responsibility to do that. Positive attitude, cheerful faces– I can see myself taking the kids here for a long time.

Love it here! Staff is very friendly and helpful. They are all great with the kids. My kids have learned so much here. So excited for them. Classes are 30 well spent minutes. If your going somewhere after they have all the amenities you need to get your child and yourself ready if need be. Showers, changing stations, hair dyer etc… Love it here! Money well spent

This place is really organized, make ups are easy to schedule, and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. At my son’s second class he didn’t want to go in the water, but the staff was prepared and made him feel at ease. They even brought him some toys to make him more comfortable. The instructor incorporated the toys into the lesson and he loved it. It’s amazing to see the progress. This place is highly effective and I strongly recommend it!

So far their infant class feels like babies are just playing, which is fine. However, I personally think that it’s better if the class is more structured and the teacher engages the parents in singing as well as explains the purpose of the activity and how it will help the baby develop. Teachers should also teach new parents who just joined the group the proper way of holding their babies while in the water with them and make them feel comfortable when doing this. I suggest that they should have a white board for their activities that way parents are able to anticipate what they’re doing or singing next. One more thing, they need to emphasize why swimming is good for babies and remind parents about safety awareness while in the water with them.

I have chosen this place in a 2^nd attempt to teach my 4 y.o. daughter swimming. We had failed our 1^st one with a local Rec Center. I wanted to find a more small-​kid-​friendly facility (the Rec Center instructors were not that great with small kids) that offered better student: teacher ratio (Gf. 4:1 vs. RC 8 – 10:1). I googled and visited all the swim schools in the area last winter. I wanted to see the facilities, the instructors and the classes myself and not just rely on online reviews. The Goldfish school was hands down a winner. Clean, fun, with friendly and knowledgable stuff. We signed up without even a price comparison, I was so impressed! So far no regrets and complete satisfaction. AND most important, my daughter CAN SWIM! Signing up her little brother next year.

This place is great! My 7 year old loves the water but did NOT want anything to do with learning swimming technique and just wanted to splash around. He LOVES Goldfish! After three months he could swim a modified freestyle the length of the pool, and he is currently working on elementary backstroke. We also recently had his birthday party there and the staff was great, two lifeguards on duty plus everything was set up and ready to go when we arrived. I look forward to our visits! We are now going twice a week, we love it so much!

It’s been great experience so far. Both my children started swimming lessons at a rec center. Four months later I switched them to Goldfish and I feel both of them have achieved much more in a month at Goldfish than they did in four months at the rec center. Rec center was less than half the price of Goldfish but you get what you pay for. I’m glad they are now learning with Goldfish’s amazing instructors.

I can’t believe the progress my 4 yr old son has made in 5 months. No swimming skills to swimming underwater independently half a pool length and safely bouncing around the pool with his older brother with ease. He LOVES Goldfish and so do I. ALL the teachers are great with the kids. The managers are professional and helpful. It is absolutely worth it to come here. Yes other lessons elsewhere might be cheaper but we did that with my older son and you get what you pay for — not much. The family swim nights are so much fun too. Love love love.

We’ve been a big fan of Potomac Swim School. The commute is a bit challenge since we move out of the area. Gold Fish is a bit closer, plus seem like their method is equivalent with Potomac Swim School. 25 mins lesson with 5 mins overview for parent. Gold Fish facility totally out runs PSS. Love their décor & amenities. Staff members are very friendly. The reason I don’t want to give a 5 star yet, because we’re only in our 2 week lesson. I will definitely do a follow up evaluation.

100% agree with the previous poster. We have been so pleased with Goldfish. Scheduling and makeups are easy, staff and management are universally professional, engaged, and helpful, teachers are caring, communicative, and knowledgable. Facility is user friendly and well equipped. They are a tightly run ship!
Our three year old daughter was scared of the pool (we live in Reston so have access to numerous pools) and now she jumps right in at Goldfish. They also hired my husband (Dynamic Dave Handyman) for some work and he was thrilled to work with the management. We can’t wait to go for a family swim and continue our daughter’s lessons.

Wow, they know their trade! My skittish four year olds were immediately comfortable and greeted upon walking in the front door. Warm employees, eye contact, interaction with the kids… these people care.
The water is 90 degrees, the air temperature is 90 degrees, no shivering tense kids!
Four kids to one instructor, excited instructors who see the importance of their work. Kate and Emma have both interacted with my kids and have them grinning ear to ear the entire time. They both have something specific to praise about my girls after every class. They know them by name.
They accomplished more with them in the first 15 minutes than months and months of group swim classes at the Rec center. My girls look forward to swim class, a real shocker considering their fear of the water.
The managers are visible and care.
Easy to schedule makeups.
All the kids get a prize ribbon at the end of each class celebrating their accomplishments plus a prize or balloon on the way out. Coloring pages and chalkboard to keep them occupied too.
Excellent and clean facility, family shower/​changing rooms a huge plus. Individual changing rooms and hair dryers too.
I am a fan, big fan. Worth every penny to teach my kids a life saving skill.