After 8 years as a customer I've decided to go elsewhere. My daughter went thru the program without many issues. My son, however, has been slower to learn. After the 3rd time taking the same class, I was denied the "swimmers guaranteed". Which states that if your swimmer repeats a level 2x they will be offered assistance the 3rd time. If they have to repeat the level a 4th time, it's is supposed to be "on us". I'm being told that because two of my sons attempts at the level were "camps" ie 4x a week for 2 weeks and 4x a week for a month, that I didn't qualify for extra help in his 3rd go round because "camps don't count" and likewise the 4th "on us" session per the technicality. I have been at the school for numerous turnovers that have directly affected the quality and consistency of their programs. I have never once complained. Now, when my son is struggling, I have been shown no understanding or treatment like a valued customer of 8 years. Shame on you. read more

We have been attending swim classes for several weeks now. I wanted to allow some time before I wrote this review, because an over-estimate for a restaurant and somebody has a bad meal. Overestimate a swim teacher, and somebody could drown. I feel confident giving Foss 5 stars. We have had several teachers over the weeks for various reasons and almost all have been really great. Julia, Jennifer, Dayonara and Jeremy have all been fantastic. My kids have made such great progress, it is mind blowing. They seem a little pricey but there are options to keep costs down if you can be flexible with your schedule. And frankly, all swim schools may be pricey now, I have no idea. It is always clean, and safe. Everybody is in such a good mood. A great environment for kids. Highly recommended. read more

We just started our swim lessons and our two boys are loving each session. Our 3 year old can't wait each week until his next lesson and gets super excited to go to swim class. His instructor provides support and instruction but aids him in excelling on his own. In only a few lessons his comfort in being in and around water has completely changed. Our 16 month old is also enjoying his group infants/parents lessons. He too, has become much more comfortable with being in water. The staff is great! Always says hello, they are engaging with your kids and they say goodbye when leaving. You don't feel ignored and it's a nice community experience. They try to ensure everyone is comfortable and any concerns or questions are answered. Very happy with our swim experiences so far at FOSS South Barrington and our kids love it! read more

We're switching back to Goldfish Swim School! Foss Swim School FAILS to recognize the importance of offering Swim Makeup classes. When my 5 year old child is sick with a common cold, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, etc., I find it very unfair for Foss Swim School to just offer a Family Swim session instead of a Swim Makeup class. The staff tried explaining to me that a Family Swim session is a great way for my child to show / practice the swim strokes she learned in class; however, let's be realistic... If we were to attend a Family Swim session, my 3 kids would just want to splash around and climb on my husband's back the entire time. Goodbye Foss. Your business is going to suffer because all other swim schools offers Swim Makeup classes . Lastly, the staff is terrible at answering their phones and never return voicemails. read more

Racist managers who don't like teaching other kids who speak different languages. The managers here love to make fun of parents and even approach parents insinuating their kids have autism or behavioral disorders. This place has absolutely gone down hill. Not inclusive at all and completely discriminatory towards any student who doesn't understand English well read more

Love this school. My girls are swimming great and are more confident in the water. Highly recommend

DO NOT ENROLL YOUR KIDS HERE! I enrolled my daughter mid October 2020 after a free trial. First issue was that I enrolled for a Wednesday class, yet they scheduled me for a Thursday. When I noticed it online I called and let them know. They apologized and said I was scheduled for that day bc the day I wanted was not available. They said they could not refund me and explained they already charge me for the full term (which I was not aware of). If I was informed the day was not available I would have never enrolled her. They called me later and offered to put my daughter in a class on (Wednesday) the day we originally enrolled her for but day it would be with a kid NOT in her level. How is this even an option? I declined their offer and since the day they enrolled her on a day that we have prior arrangements for, she had to miss the class. I thought she would get a credit on the account for a future class or be able to make up the class at the very least. Nope- they told me when a class is missed you get a credit to use only on future events. They forgot to mentioned this as well when we registered. HA!! We are in a pandemic with no vaccine, please tell me when will be the next event the are able to host?? So again, I asked for a refund. They said they couldn't. I had to rearrange my work/childcare schedule, all for only two classes. Because then I find out the day of classes that because of covid, they decided to cancel the classes and only keep open private lessons. Way to scam people for money. My daughters class had no other students in it and they called me to cancel class, the day of class!!! Again, I asked for a refund. The woman I spoke to said she couldn't provide me with a number or email speak to management but she said she could but in a request for a refund. She promised to get back to me with in 48hours. That was on 11/18/2020, here we are almost two weeks later and I have not heard from anyone. I understand businesses are going through struggles because of COVID but a little transparency would have helped. How do you not explain the change in your missed class policy? How do you not tell the new family you all charge by term and not monthly? How do you not tell the family the day the chose for classes is no longer available? DO NOT ENROLL YOUR KIDS HERE- CHEAPOS WILL SCAM YOU!!! read more

If you truly want your child to learn to swim, sign up at Foss. We dabbled in local park district classes for too long. Our son wasn't showing any progress, so it was time to make a change. Enter Foss Swim School (and generous grandparents beacuse these classes aren't cheap!). In less than a year, our six-year-old son has gone from not knowing how to swim a lick to mastering the back stroke, side stroke, etc. The teachers really know what they're doing here. Their level of enthusiasm is unreal, especially at 8:00 a.m. The class sizes are really small too. Our kids have had classes of just one student up to four. They offer so many time slots too, so you're bound to find a class time that fits your schedule. One last compliment: the facility has everything needed to make swim class a comfortable and easy experience for all. The water is bathtub warm, the lanes are short as to not feel intimidating, and there are plenty of showers stocked with soap/shampoo and clean dressing rooms. read more

This place is FANTASTIC!!! We started at Foss Swim School after a bad experience at another local swim school, where my son had been attending lessons from the age of 8 -20 months. Before enrolling we stopped by to tour the place and was instantly impressed. The place was immaculate. Well organized and with plenty of space to change and get ready. Front desk staff was friendly and inviting and happy to show us around. Within 5 minutes of walking in, we were "sold" and ready to enroll! LOVE - LOVE - LOVE that this place has 4 different levels of baby swim! At our last school there was only 1 level for 4 months to 2 years. So, 2 year olds who had been swimming for a year and a half were in the same class with 4 month olds who could barely hold their own heads up. No real challenge for the older "babies" at all. But here - my son is grouped with other toddlers that have his same skill level, so he's constantly being challenged and working on skill sets he still needs to master, instead of focusing on elementary stuff he's already learned. The teachers are absolutely certified and know what they are doing! Not to mention they have enthusiasm and a love for teaching which the kids certainly pick up on. My son loves going to swim class! And he really, really likes Casey!! And, after only 1 month of lessons at Foss, he's floating - unassisted - on his back!!! (Something he could not be taught after a year of lessons at the other school!!) We are so excited to have found Foss and will be attending classes here for the foreseeable future. Highly recommended!! read more

Love Foss Swim School! Both of my children have been attending for the last couple of months and have been making great progress. Even my skeptical husband has been impressed. The teachers are very engaged and seem to enjoy their jobs. They make learning to swim very fun. The facility itself is very clean and I love that all of the restrooms and changing areas are in one big area. That makes it very convenient to keep track of everyone when you are with multiple children. They even have a rinsing off area with shampoo out by the pools. I can get my young kids rinsed off without having to get myself wet. As one of the other reviewers said, if you really want your kids to learn to swim, this is the place to go. I've even seen an adult learning to swim there. Don't put it off, sign up for lessons at Foss. ‍‍ read more

great swimming school for children! Nice and professional staffs. Convenient location .Clean changing room. Highly recommend!

This is the best swim school around. Don't waste your time at other swim schools. The water is salt water which really helps my baby's eczema. Miss Becca is my favorite teacher. She gets to know your child on an individual basis. When I was swim school shopping I stopped inside Foss and asked the front desk why should I choose your school instead of another one. They had a great answer they are here to teach safely they teach swim camps for the less fortunate and really emphasizes safety. Not to mention they have great amenities, heated floors, salt water pool, etc. I love foss! read more

TBH, hours and location factor very very high in choosing after-school activities in a city where commutes are long. That is what brought us here. Since enrolling our young son, we've been very impressed with the teaching style, philosophy and great facilities: heated pool, heated floors, clean/large co-ed locker room, waiting area for parents, pool side benches for parents, and light-hearted, funny attitude (which helps the young ones). Classes are just long enough (about 30min) and the students get a pretty decent workout in. Go for the free trial/swim level assessment. We think you will like it as much as we do! read more

The teachers here are great and my son has learned a lot, however, the managers are terrible. They recently added a student to my son's class who is clearly not at the same level. The other student requires a lot of attention and my son is not getting the direction that he needs from this class. They have even moved the island close to the end of the pool to accommodate this other child. My son went from swimming the length of the pool to getting to move about two strokes and then having to stop. Also this other child does not know to move out of the way so when it is my son's turn to swim she hangs out in the middle of the lane. Then I found out that the swim school is actually comping this girls lessons because she failed to progress during her other classes. So in essence we are paying for this girl's class! The school is too cheap to put her in a different class where she belongs. They stuck her in my son's class because there was an opening even though they are nowhere near the same level. read more

We LOVE Foss Swim School. They are very knowledgeable, friendly and supportive towards my children. We have been there for a couple of years now and are very pleased with our children's skill level and progress. I highly recommend this program to everyone. read more

Wonderful school, We have been going to this swim school since they opened! They have gone above and beyond for us as a family. We have special needs daughter who really wanted to go swimming out of her normal schedule and they were able to understand and fit her in on a off day! We really appreciate all the teachers and staff that work their, especially Krysta her teacher and Kelsy and Barb who help us with all of our other needs with both of my children! Thank you for going above and beyond for us! read more