The instructor explained the steps to effective freestyle swimming. She demonstrated then had me do…read moreit. Explanations were easy to understand.

I can't say enough good things about Anna. She's one of the best swim coaches I've ever worked with…read more-- knowledgeable, passionate, flexible, confident, and just genuinely great to be around. Highly recommended!

I took 8 lessons with Betty this summer. Previously I took various group lessons in Foss Swim…read moreSchool and a few classes at the Y. However, I was still super uncomfortable in the water because I felt my technique was lacking, and also I was learning in shallow pools/shallow end of the pool. I reached out to Betty because she teaches in a pool with a deep end. I read great reviews about her and decided to go for it! And I am so glad that I did! Betty is a great teacher. We established what my goals were for these sessions, which was mainly to get comfortable in the deep end, and also learn survival skills in the water. She is very patient and when she feels you're ready, challenges you to overcome your fears! Towards the end of my 2nd session, I actually jumped INTO the deep end of the pool! She initially did jump with me because I was so nervous, but the 2nd time, I did it myself and I was so proud of myself! I never would have thought I'd become more comfortable with the deep end. Anyway I highly recommend private lessons with Betty. She is an amazing teacher, and also such a great person. I already miss my swimming lessons. LOL! Thanks Betty!

If you're looking for an experienced, friendly, patient and genuinely caring swim coach, I can…read morehighly recommend Betty! As an adult beginner I wanted to work with someone who had experience teaching all different types of learners. I also wanted to work with someone who would not only teach me, but also explain why we were doing each move, technique etc (I learn better when I understand why). Betty was flexible with lessons when schedules needed to be adjusted, or offering me earlier slots if a session became available at short notice. I'm delighted to say that within 2 months of lessons, I can swim confidently and now am focused on improving my technique. It actually took less time to learn how to swim with Betty, but I wanted to spend more time on technique once I'd grasped the fundamentals. I highly recommend Betty!

This review is not for Big Blue but for a specific teacher. Gloria is a real life magical mermaid…read more She is an incredible teacher, advocate, and role model. I'm truly in awe of her ability to maintain enthusiasm, warmth, insight, and intention through lesson after lesson. She is working on another level. She packs so much into a 30 minute lesson - challenging her students to build skill, creating a sense of community, encouraging them to support each other. We've had a few teachers at Big Blue, all clearly well trained, and our child demonstrates more growth in one session with Gloria than a month with his other teachers. I've worked in schools and observed educators in various settings for many years. Gloria has the passion and charisma that I recognize from the best teachers I've known. Even when my child was not in her class, Gloria advocated for his learning experience, working with the staff to make sure he was in the right level for both his age and skill. Whatever you are paying her, quadruple it. We are lucky to have Gloria in our community. Generally our experiences with big blue staff have been positive. Staff are always friendly and helpful. Gloria, again, stands head and shoulders above the rest.

The management of this facility and its customer service here have really gone down hill. With as…read moremany options exist in our neighborhood, I would avoid this place. Our sons attended lessons here 2-3 years ago and we had a fine experience. Great instructor who really knew them and knew how to motivate and celebrated their successes. This summer, we enrolled our one year old daughter. The classes had a different instructor every week. Classes were often cancelled due to facility closures with little to no notice. Refunds are not given for those cancellations- they will offer to give you a credit to come at another time (even if you literally cannot make any of the available times). After months of "membership" and only attending 1 class I finally cancelled, which I had to do via text message to reach their customer service. 2 months later they are still charging me. Avoid this place.

Great coaching staff! Great team! I know several families who have been involved with this…read moreprogram and absolutely love it!!

Coach Stephens and his group are committed to the kids. My daughter has been with the team for 3…read moreyears now and loves it. They work hard and it shows in the results. They train in the UIC pool making it an ideal central location in the city. For those kids who are not ready for the team but want to learn to swim, they offer a lesson program for all ages. Check them out, class sizes are small and they fill up fast.

Strongly recommend, particularly for a first time swimmer, if you have access to a pool…read more Had an amazing experience with Coach Michael. We were able to get access to a pool for the summer through our HOA. Within just a few lessons, our 1.5 year old is way more comfortable. He used to hate any water over his face or ears, and now he can go underwater for 3-4 seconds no problem! Michael's patient but persistent approach ensures we make steady progress without pushing our son too far. Looking at prices for group lessons at Goldfish, these 1:1 lessons at our desired location are only 2x more, which feels like a deal.

First swim class is amazing! They were able to work with me to do private lessons for my 18 month…read moreold and 4 year old. Coach Luie is the best. My son did not like being in the water at first and cried for the first several lessons. Coach Luie was so patient with him and made sure that he built trust. My daughter loves him and looks forward to every lesson. She progressed fast thanks to Coach Luie. They make class fun by singing songs, playing games, and learning techniques in a way that kids can understand "scooping icecream" with your hands. The class makes sure they learn safety in the water. I would highly recommend them.

My daughter needed to gain confidence swimming without a life jacket and we tried this facility out…read moreof convience. The swimming pool area and floatees are clean and don't reek of chlorine. Shower divider is made of glass overlooking the indoor pool. Restrooms, locker room area, and changing area separates from the swimming pool area. Depending on the age and swimming level of your child under 12 years old, monthly cost is either $90 or $120+. The professional staff, esp the lifegaurd, focus on both fun and safety. Always can make up a class missed within that week without a penalty. We especially love the daily family swim, which is included in the membership. Family swim another activity for my daughter and I to bond and away from hot temperatures. My daughter's swimming coach encouarges each lesson to build on present skills that makes her come every week. Based on one of the employees, that their program os so effective that each level of advancement is on an average of 3 months.

We had a really good experience at Goldfish Swim School in Roscoe Village and would give it a solid…read more4/5 overall. The facility was clean and appeared well maintained, which is especially important to me when it comes to a place with a pool and lots of children. The staff was also very friendly and welcoming. Everyone we interacted with was pleasant and helpful, and the overall environment felt very kid-friendly. Parking was another big plus. We didn't have any issues finding a spot, which makes getting kids in and out for swim lessons so much easier. My biggest complaint was the temperature inside. I completely understand keeping the pool area warm for the kids while they're swimming, but the heat seemed to carry over into the eating/viewing area as well. It was extremely warm and uncomfortable while sitting there almost like being outside on a hot pool day. A little more air circulation or a cooler temperature in the areas where parents and families are waiting would make a huge difference. Aside from the heat, we had a positive experience. The facility was clean, the staff was friendly, parking was convenient, and it seemed like a nice environment for children to learn and become more comfortable in the water. Overall, a solid 4/5. I would definitely recommend Goldfish Swim School in Roscoe Village, but hopefully they can make the waiting/eating areas a little more comfortable for parents and families! ‍

Update: Iryna, the owner spoke with me and explained what was going on. She went out of her way to…read moremeet with me personally at my child's class and made sure the instructor was made aware of her my child's situation. She also personally evaluated my child and even gave some pointers to my child. My daughter was able to advance to the next level and is happy with her instructors. I appreciate the owner's interest in my issue and her willingness to immediately take steps to mediate the situation. Thanks.

My kids tried two other popular swim school establishments before coming here…read more Needless to say, they (ages from 9-13) liked this place the best..the staff is very nice and truly focus on teaching swimming skills. Ive noticed significant improvement in their swimming abilities in 2 months that they've been coming here than in 1 yr they were at the other place.

Foss has a lower rating than Goldfish? That blows my mind; it seems like they have a curriculum and…read moreare trying to teach it. That seems like the definition of a good swim school. Facilities are generally clean. There is variation in experience based on teacher though; some are very conscientious and pay close attention to "your swimmer's" specific needs, others treat the class more homogeneously and that can impede development. I like that they allow makeups, but their makeup policy is bad. (1) you have to have missed the class to schedule a makeup, (2) you can only schedule a week out, (3) the makeup times are generally awful ("I can offer you 10:15am on a Tuesday or 7:45pm on a Friday"). (Regarding a number of the 1* reviews: I do think though, that similar with the idea of this being a school that teaches certain skills you need to master to pass, you might have to come to grips with the idea that your child is NOT mastering them IN SPITE of the teachers making a good effort to teach them in a group setting. Look, I'm super type A, it drives me CRAZY when they tell me my child needs more time in the level...but I also want them to learn to swim, not drown while wearing a badge that says "I know how to swim").

They swim only like 5 yards for little kids, don't challenge them…read more They made the biggest progress when I took them for swim myself. Money wasting experience.

Isabella was so patient with both of our boys. They absolutely loved her and gained a ton of…read moreconfidence in the water!

Gina B. is an excellent swim instructor! She is warm, patient, kind, and made our infant feel…read morecomfortable during her very first swim lessons. She was always punctual and came prepared with toys and equipment that made each lesson engaging and fun. Her sweet personality and calm energy immediately put both baby and parents at ease. You can truly tell she loves working with children, and we're so grateful for such a positive first swimming experience. Highly recommend!

I'll save some parents out there some money. The water temperatures are variable and the…read morerestrooms/changing are not equipped for infants/toddlers. If this is the only swim school that you can access try your luck but I recommend pushing for a free trail class that all the others I have researched offer (Big Blue Swim School, Bear Paddle swim school, Goldfish swim school). My biggest frustration was communication with the office staff. When I brought up my concerns on the temperature they initially dismissed them saying "no other parent complained". When I proved the temperature was not as promised by having the staff check the temperature, they were unapologetic and simply stated that the temperature is out of their control at all their locations with the exception of Skokie. The final result was that the company: 1. terminated my contract without communication or request 2. left me unable to use the 10 classes I had accumulated or the credits on the account 3. updated the website to remove the temperature ranges (great for future parents) and claimed they were never on there when I mentioned them. Simply for integrity reasons I would not trust this school with my credit card information or my child

I am so sick of this place. We have been going here for close to 3 years ( I should have quit eons…read moreago) and I have finally called it quits. I have sent my child to multiple places for other classes and no place has made it as difficult as BSS. 1. Earlier, we could use all our make up sessions even if not enrolled but now they have changed it. 2. When I tried to cancel the day they charged they refuse to reverse it- how hard can this be? Plenty of other places simply reverse the charge if you want to cancel instead they made it a "credit". A credit I obviously cant use unless I am enrolled 3. THE CONSTANT instructor changes- literally have gone through a gazillion changes in instructors. I cant even keep up. Finally, with the latest change in instructor I tried to cancel for March and nope- wont reverse the changes. 4. Even though I am part of the gym they operate from they constantly send out notices saying my child cant be changed in the gym locker room? Because other patrons complain about children being changed in the locker room- what is this even! I am 100% done with this place and will make sure to let anyone who asks me about BSS that they are actually BS.