Swim School

Welcome to Friends' Central Aquatics Swim School! 

All lessons are held at Friends' Central School (Upper School Campus) located at 1101 City Avenue, Wynnewood, PA, 19096.   You can view a map of the campus here.  The pool is in Building 11, but participants should enter through building 9, the Shimada Athletic Center.  Once inside Shimada, take the long hallway to your left, which leads directly to the pool.

Swim School lessons are 30 minutes long and typically held on Saturdays mornings. Children are taught in small groups with others at a similar skill level. 

 

Sessions 1 & 2 Registration Date: Tuesday, July 28th at 6pm (for all families).

Access the Parent Portal here to register for lessons or join a waitlist.

Don't have a Parent Portal account? (read below)

If you don't have a Parent Portal Account, please complete the online registration form to create an account to register for lessons or join the waitlist. Signing up for the waitlist automatically adds you to the listserv.

 

 

SKILL LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

Level I - Explorers: 
This level introduces children to the water. Swimmers will work on a number of skills from blowing bubbles to supported floats and kicks. 
Prerequisite: Swimmers must be at least 3 years old and toilet trained to participate in Level I.
To Pass to Level II: Swimmers must be able to glide independently on front with face in and blow bubbles, glide/float on back for 5 seconds and jump independently into the pool (not at instructor).

Level II - Beginners: 
In this level, swimmers will work on submerging their heads (bobs), kicking with barbells, floating independently, gliding streamline, arm stroke skills for freestyle and backstroke. The swimmer will also be introduced to rotary breathing as well as deep water. 
Prerequisite: Passing Level I or child must be able to submerge head in water, float on the front and back, kick and glide.
To Pass to Level III: Swimmers must be able to float unassisted on front and back for 10 seconds, glide and flutter kick on back and front for 15 yards,  basic water competence.

Level III - Advanced Beginners: 
Swimmers work primarily in deep water. This level focuses on freestyle with rotary breathing, refining back stroke, and introduces diving. Another goal of Level III is building endurance specifically the ability to swim 25 yards of freestyle and/or backstroke. 
Prerequisite: Passing Level II or child must be able to swim 25 feet freestyle and backstroke and feel comfortable in deep water.
To Pass to Level IV: Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle and 25 yards of backstroke independently.

Level IV - Swimmers: 
This level offers advanced development for freestyle and backstroke increasing the distance to 50 yards. Swimmers are introduced to breaststroke. Diving development continues. 
Prerequisite: Passing Level III or child must be able to complete 25 yards freestyle and backstroke as well as be able to dive.
To Pass to Level V: Swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle with rotary breathing and 50 yards of backstroke. 

Level V - Advanced Swimmers: 
In this level, swimmers distance of freestyle and backstroke increases to 75 yards. Breaststroke and diving skills are further refined as well as the introduction of butterfly, flip turns and racing starts. 
Prerequisite: Passing Level IV or child must be able to complete 50 yards freestyle and backstroke.
After Passing Level V: Swimmer is ready for Swim Team or Team Phoenix!

SATURDAY CLASS TIMES 
Class 1: 10:00am-10:30am
Class 2: 10:35am-11:05am
Class 3: 11:10am-11:40am
Class 4: 11:45am-12:15pm

2026-2027 SESSION DATES  

Session	Dates	Registration Date & Time
Session 1 (6 weeks)	Sept 12 - Oct 17	July 28th at 6pm- For ALL Families (no priority registration)
Session 2 (6 weeks)	Oct 24 - Dec 12th*	July 28th at 6pm- For ALL Families (no priority registration)
Session 3 (6 weeks)	Jan 9 - Feb 13	Date will be posted in October
Session 4 (6 weeks)	Feb 20 - March 27	Date will be posted in October
Session 5 (6 weeks)	April 3rd - May 8th**	Date will be posted in Feburary
Session 6 (5 weeks)	May 15th - June 19th***	Date will be posted in Feburary
Session 7 (5 weeks)	June 26th - July 31st****	Date will be posted in Feburary

*No class November 14th for swim meet
*No class November 28th for Holiday
**No class May 1st for FCS event. Swim School will be SUNDAY, May 2nd
***No class May 29th for Holiday
***No class June 5th for FCS event. Swim School will be SUNDAY, June 6th 
****No class July 3rd

COST & FEES
FCS students: $210 per 6 week session; $175 per 5 week session
Non-FCS students: $240 per 6 week session; $200 per 5 week session
Late Registration Fee: $30 
Cancellation Fee: $30 per session. All cancellation requests must be received by 11:59pm the Sunday before the first class of a new session. No refunds will be given after.  A cancellation is when you need to remove your child from the entire 6 or 5 week session.
Missed Classes: There are no make-ups if your child cannot attend their lesson. This policy applies to all situations regardless of illness, injury, scheduling conflict or inclement weather.

2027 SPRING WEEKDAY LESSONS (Information will be posted in March 2027. Class offerings are dependent upon staff availability.)

Days of the Week & Times	Dates		Registration Opens at 6:00pm
Tuesday 3:45-4:15pm	TBD		All Families
Thursday 3:45-4:15pm	TBD		All Families
Tuesday & Thursday 4:20-4:50pm	TBD		All Families

 

Weekday Class Offerings 
Spring Lessons are offered once a year and run for six weeks. 

Tuesdays 3:45pm - Levels III & IV
Thursdays 3:45pm - Levels II & III
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:20 - Levels III & IV

COST & FEES
FCS students: $210 once a week; $375 twice a week
Non-FCS students: $240 once a week; $405 twice a week
Late Registration Fee: $30 
Cancellation Fee: $30 per session.  All cancellation requests must be received by 11:59pm the Sunday before the first class of a new session.  No refunds will be given after. A cancellation is when you need to remove your child from the entire 6 or 5 week session.
Missed Classes: There are no make ups if your child cannot attend their lesson. This policy applies to all situations regardless of illness, injury, scheduling conflict or inclement weather.

Please email Bridget Brown, bbrown@friendscentral.org, if you have any additional questions.