As far as swim schools go for my son, I can only compare Floaties (@3yrs) to SD swim school (@5yrs). He also had a swim instructor as part of summer school, but that wasn't a swim school. I'm doing my review from my son's new-to-swimming/basic swimmer perspective. Classes that teach more advanced swimmers may be different. SD Swim has certified American Red Cross instructors who presumably use that methodology for instruction (though it isn't specifically stated on their site). Floaties instructors use the Floaties Way, which they're all trained in. SD Swim takes place at Mt Carmel High School's swim facilities, which have the typical chlorinated pool common to most homes and public swim areas. Floaties has their own locations that use heated salt water pools. For SD Swim, I like that each class has an instructor *and* a lifeguard in the water watching the group no matter how big/small. Some groups had six children, some had two. My 5yr old was the only one in his class because the other groups were filled, but he still had a lifeguard watching him while he was being taught. Safety is clearly important here. The instructor taught my son to float on his back (which he was somewhat familiar with from Floaties). Then he was taught to float for a bit on his belly before rolling onto his back again. This was a new technique that made a lot of sense when I saw it. If you accidentally fell into the water and weren't a good swimmer, you can hopefully roll yourself onto your back and breathe. Or if you don't have stamina, you might swim on your belly for a bit before rolling to your back...and back and forth. The instructor was also trying to get my son to sort of swim on his side with one cheek out of the water...in a kind of pre-freestyle position. He didn't quite get it, but I could see where it was going. Facilities-wise, there are about five or six spray showers against the wall to the side of the bathrooms. There are also three stalls adjacent that you/your child can change in. The stalls are only covered with thin plastic tarps that have rips in them (at least, as of this review). A small wind means you could be getting a face full of plastic stuck to you if you're not wary. Or you could be giving someone an eyeful if you really want to change there. Getting my son into the women's bathroom stall to change was a chore, and I realize that some parents don't want their girls seeing penis, which would certainly happen with my squirrelly son. Some doors on the larger outdoor stalls would be a convenience. If you know your kiddo is fine with water on his/head, and you don't mind the regular pool (chlorine), then I recommend SD Swim. Their instruction and focus on safety is admirable. Floaties has the heated salt water pool that I mentioned before. They start beginners off by slowly dribbling water over the child's head and distracting them with a variety of toys floating and hiding in various areas around their pool. It's possible that several classes will be dedicated to overcoming a child's fear of water this way. I'm not sure how SD Swim does it so I can't compare. Lastly, price. SD Swim is not as expensive as Floaties for the same number of classes. This might also figure in to your decision. read more

My daughter has been in the small groups if just two kids for 3 sessions now. That's 3 weeks total. Great experience so far. We've had different instructors each week, but they all are using the same method which is to teach the kids how to float on their backs, the swim on their backs and eventually swim on their front. This is to yeah them to be water safe from the get go. My daughter has learned so much in such a short period of time. I'm very impressed with how sweet and encouraging they are with the kids. She's almost 4 and they are full of praise for her efforts and high fives. We love the week long sessions for 5 days in a row. That's about what we can handle right now. She's exceeded my expectations and I'm thrilled with our experience. read more

San Diego Swim School - Ready for the pool! - Swimming Lessons/Schools Near Me

We were looking for an outdoor swim school just to supplement our other indoor swim school classes for a couple weeks. The community colleges were full, so I thought I'd try this place. It's close to us and I'm familiar with the facility. My cousin brought her sons here and enjoyed it. Though, she's comparing it to the YMCA. My first hint should've been when I talked to the owner/manager Victoria in person. Yeah, NOT WELCOMING at all. She didn't tell us what to expect, where to change, shower, how the class works, etc. Also, when she was done talking to us, she was completely done. Walked away. No "enjoy your class" or "have a good day" or follow up on how the first class went. I have a child who has special needs, which I explained to her, and she could care less. The staff is just as "fun" of a demeanor. I've tried to talk to the teacher, only to be blown off. And there's this weird scheduling thing where they have a 15 minute break between classes. Ok, I thought they do that so they can spend time talking to the parents. Nope. I got to talk to the teacher once every other day for 1 minute and she sped through the conversation as if she would rather get it over with. Observing what they did in that 15 minute break, that occurred after every class . . . they sat on their phones and gossiped with each other. The class itself was just "meh". I specifically told the teacher that my son had special needs and she just didn't care. If kids are intermediate/advanced swimmers, they still don't get to go in the 25 meter pool to try it out. WTH? So lessons are taught in the 3-4ft. pool and kids are running into each other because there is no defined area for each class. Teachers didn't care that my kid was going to get hit by another kid who was also doing the back stroke. For the money, I'd rather go back to the community college or university. Too bad for the owner. I'm never suggesting this swim school to any friends with special needs kids. read more

I cannot rave about San Diego Swim School enough. We signed my two rambunctious boys up for beginner swim group classes and we quickly discovered that it was not working for anyone. The director on site and owner were quick to help to find a solution. We switched to private lessons with Ms. Sarah (sp?) and they are making great progress. The director on site and the instructor are patient but firm and my boys are thriving. Thank you all so much. read more

My daughter is 4 and I began swim lessons in spring 2013 for her. It was a little difficult to get a hold of the school to register, due to email communication preferred by school. The lessons were at Mt. Carmel High school, and the high school swim team was using the other pool. There really isn't an easy bathroom to use there for changing the girls, so we'd bring them in swimsuits. But once she was in class I was thrilled with the quality of the swim instructor!! We signed up with a friend and it was just the 2 girls in the class! Semi-private lessons for a good price. read more

I bought 2 Living Social vouchers for private lessons for my 3-year-old son. He has Kristen as his teacher and he totally loves her. She is very patient and VERY good with my son. He isn't afraid of the water but he can't swim at all either (never had any lessons before). He's only had 2 lessons so far but we signed up for 10 more so we'll see how he is doing at that time and I'll report back. So far he can blow bubbles, do the starfish float, and put his head underwater without having a fit! There isn't any shade at the pool where the lessons are held so bring a chair with a top or something to protect yourself from the hot sun. There isn't any seating near the lesson area either so a chair is nice to have anyway. read more

My son went from a fear of the water to swimming freestyle and backstroke. Impressed with the program and highly recommend

"Meh. I've experienced better." as per Yelp's definition of 2 stars so blame Yelp. To be fair with SDSS, I'd probably score any other schools providing group lessons the same. 5 to 6 students in a swim class for 30 minutes will just not work unless the school became very creative. In SDSS' case, they did not. To learn how to swim, it has to be semi-private or private. It will cost you more using group lessons in the long run...it will take forever and ever to learn. Shortcomings of SDSS' group class and most schools anyway (SDSS is a business and has to make $. Why do you think they cater to babies? Their only fault is that they're teaching just like every other meh schools): -2 swimming levels: none swimmers, and non swimmers that can swim 3 yards on a shallow water. The owner commented here that deep water pool is for intermediate swimmers only and there are no intermediate students so forget about hoping your kid to become comfortable in deep waters. SDSS is just following the pool rule. -My kid's swim time was for a total of 6.67 minutes out of 5 lesson hours (2.2% swim & 97.8% lecture). I guess someone complained about not enough talking last year so they over talked this year. Group lessons tend to be more on lectures than hands-on. If you're after your kid having a lot fun during the summer break and not for learning to swim then group lessons are perfectly fine. My kid had a great time with SDSS, and they earned my 2 stars for that. Recommendation: Practice makes perfect. Maybe increase the swim time a bit more? I know it's difficult with 6 students but you have to make it work if you're charging for it. Maybe have kids watch You Tube videos on how to swim so less lecture during pool time?...just be creative SDSS. It can be disappointing if after 3 weeks of lessons and hundreds of $ later, my kid has nothing to show for it. read more

I love the swimming classes that San Diego Swim School has to offer. We have been going there for 2 years now. Victoria is great, super friendly and terrific with kids. My little one who is 4 years old, is very shy. We enrolled him at Cathedral H.S location. He has never been to daycare. So the first class he refused to get into the water and cried the entire half hour of the class. I spoke to Victoria. She suggested we took him to Mt. Carmel H.S because the heated small pool and she would do a one on one with him to get him comfortable with the water. Amazingly after two classes with her, he was able to be in the class with other kids. It was a huge step for him and for us too. Victoria is very flexible. She cares about the kids. I would highly recommend this program to anyone. It has always been easy for me to communicate with her through emails. I love what the programs have to offer and they cater to little ones. The instructors are fantastic!!! read more

My daughters have taken swim lessons at SDSS for 6+ years. We have been extremely satisfied with the quality of SDSS lessons, staff, and teachers! Everyone is wonderful and it is an excellent swim program, esp for the price. Kids are treated respectfully, pushed gently to the 'next level' with age-appropriate instruction. In the beginning classes, the focus is on getting kids used to water, water safety, and learning basic swim technique. At the advanced levels, students refine their technique and build endurance, move toward lap swimming (with mini-breaks) -- it's a perfect segue to swim team. The staff (Victoria, Kelly, teachers -- plus Dean, aquatics supervisor, is an added bonus) are professional, encouraging, and accommodating. My kids have grown up at this pool, and our experiences have been entirely positive. We are grateful for such high-quality swim instruction in PQ! read more