Swim School Comparison Worksheet

24 criteria. Three schools. One confident decision. Score each cell ✓ (good), ~ (okay), or ✗ (no) — or jot the number they give you.

WaterWiseKids.com — Free water safety education for families

Screen by phone first (section 1), then tour your top two or three with this sheet on a clipboard.

Before You Drive Anywhere — 5 Phone-Screen Questions

"What is your student-to-instructor ratio for my child's age?" Looking for 4:1 or smaller for beginners under 6; 1:1 with a parent in the water for infants.
"At what level do children learn to roll onto their back and breathe?" Survival skills should come early, not as an advanced reward.
"What is your teaching pool's water temperature?" 88–92°F keeps young children relaxed and learning. Quality schools know the number instantly.
"Can I observe a class before enrolling — and every lesson after?" Any hesitation on observation is a red flag. Ask about free trial lessons while you're at it.
"What does a month really cost?" Tuition + registration + annual fees + required gear. Ask about sibling discounts and makeup policies.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Criteria	School A: __________	School B: __________	School C: __________
Safety & Supervision
Safety staff on deck lifeguard or safety-trained staff besides instructors
Emergency procedures posted rescue equipment visible and reachable
Survival skills taught early back float / rollover-to-breathe in beginner levels
Background checks & abuse-prevention policy answered directly, without flinching
Parents may observe every lesson clear sightline to the whole pool
Instructors
Ratio for my child's age write the actual number, e.g. 3:1
Instructor certification & training what credential? how many training hours?
Same instructor week to week low turnover, consistent teacher
Instructor in the water, at eye level observed during a real class
Kids engaged & moving not waiting on the wall
Curriculum & Progression
Written level progression clear skills ladder they can show you
Mastery-based advancement move up when skill is shown, not when session ends
Year-round / continuous enrollment skills fade over long breaks
Progress reported to parents how, and how often?
Pool, Comfort & Logistics
Water temperature write the number; 88–92°F ideal for young kids
Facility clean, warm changing areas
Drive time that survives winter minutes from home/school
Lesson times fit our week
Fair makeup / cancellation policy
Cost & Value
True monthly cost tuition + registration + annual fees + gear
Free trial lesson offered
Sibling discount / family pricing
No long prepaid contract required month-to-month or easy pause is the friendlier model
Guarantee / scholarship options
TOTALS (count the ✓ marks)

Red Flags — Two or More Ends the Tour

Parents not allowed to observe lessons — no legitimate reason exists for this.
Ratios above 6:1 for non-swimmers — one instructor cannot keep hands-on attention on six beginners.
No posted emergency procedures — or staff who cannot describe them when asked.
No written level progression — "every child is different" is not a curriculum.
Instructors unsure of their own certification — training should be a source of pride, not a mystery.
Shivering children in the current class — cold water means lessons children learn to dread.
Pressure to prepay a long contract before observing a class — confident schools let their teaching sell itself.

Swim School Comparison Worksheet

Before You Drive Anywhere — 5 Phone-Screen Questions

Side-by-Side Comparison

Red Flags — Two or More Ends the Tour

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