JCCSF Swim School
The JCCSF Swim School helps kids master the skills and strokes they’ll need to progress to new levels of confidence, comfort and ability in the water.
The JCCSF Swim School is open to kids of all abilities. From first time in the pool to proficient swimmer, kids can progress through the levels of our program to reach their swimming goals. We offer group classes as well as private lessons where swimmers will learn the different strokes and techniques needed to grow into confident swimmers.
GALLANTER FAMILY AQUATICS CENTER
Thanks to a generous grant from Sandy and Linda Gallanter, we have just completed a much-needed renovations project to improve the overall experience for all our swimmers. That includes a new dehumidifying system along with several other improvements that will make your experience more enjoyable, including the ventilation and air quality.
WHEN CAN I SWIM?
Upcoming Closures
MAR 29 – APR 4
Swim School will be closed for Spring Break.
APR 12 – 13
Swim School will be closed for Passover.
MAY 26
Swim School will be closed for Memorial Day.
JUN 1 – 2
Swim School will be closed for Shavuot.
Aquatics Center Hours
Monday – Friday: 5:30 am – 9:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am – 6:45 pm*
*3rd Sunday of the Month: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Rec Pool Hours
Recreation & Family Swim
Monday & Wednesday: 5:30 am – Noon, 2:30 – 9:45 pm
Tuesday: 5:30 am – 9:45 pm
Thursday: 5:30 am – Noon, 2:00 – 9:45 pm
Friday: 5:30 am – Noon, 3:00 – 9:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 – 8:00 am, 2:00 – 6:45 pm
Pool capacity is 50 swimmers. Space limited from 5:30 – 7:15 pm.
Adult Swim
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Noon – 1:30 pm
Thursday: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
The Lap Pool is available for lap swimming during Aquatics Center hours. Peak time is 4:00 – 7:00 pm every day.
View our full Lap Pool and Rec Pool schedule breakdown by day.
REGISTRATION
We have immediate openings for the following swim levels. Register Now!
- Parent-Child Classes, 18 months – 3 Years
- New Swimmers, Ages 3 – 5
- Beginner to Advanced, Ages 6 – 12
- Private Lessons and Semi-Private lessons, Ages 5+
Choose your desired class in the Levels & Descriptions section below to get started.
Registration Details:
- Availability across all swim levels will gradually increase until we reach our maximum enrollment. This is to accommodate the hiring and training of all new Aquatics instructors and lifeguards as well as monitor class demand. If you’re waitlisted for your preferred class time slot, we’ll notify you when more space becomes available.
- Non-refundable monthly tuition due upon registration. Visit our financial assistance page to learn about available payment aid options.
- Our swim lessons are ongoing. Once you are enrolled, you will be automatically charged at the beginning of every month until you withdraw in writing with the Aquatics Office. All requested changes in enrollment are considered effective immediately.
- Due to high demand in our lower levels, Water Babies, Level 1 (Frogs & Puffers), and Level 2 (Gobies & Stingrays) classes are limited to one (1) enrollment per student.
- For students who have progressed to Level 3 (Tiger Barbs & Seals), Level 4 (Dolphins), Level 5 (Sharks), and Pre-Swim Team, classes are limited to two (2) enrollments per student. Please note our Aquatics team reserves the right to ask students to choose between two active enrollments should program demand change at any point.
- Pre-registration tip: Log in to your account and verify that all your family’s information, especially the date of birth for both you and your child, is accurate and up to date. Trouble logging in? Check out our FAQs here.
View our complete Swim School policies, processes and practices.
If you have questions about this process not answered above, you can reach out to our support team at swimlessons@jccsf.org.
Levels & Descriptions
The JCCSF Swim School program helps swimmers master the skills and strokes they’ll need to progress to new levels of comfort and ability in the water. Scroll right to see the entire table. To sign up, select the level name (e.g., Frogs) and complete the registration process, or follow instructions to email us at swimlessons@jccsf.org.
| AGES 6 MONTHS – 3 YEARS | AGES 3 – 5 | AGES 6 – 12 | DESCRIPTION | POOL | MAX CAPACITY | ASSESSMENT REQUIRED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVEL 0 | Water Babies | NA | NA | Little swimmers and parents become comfortable in and under the water with games, songs and toys as they learn safety skills, floating on their back independently and propelling themselves through the water with eyes down for a short distance. | Recreation | 5 | No |
| LEVEL 1 | NA | Frogs | Puffers | Level 1 students focus on self-submersion and floating on their stomachs and backs unassisted. Children learn to feel comfortable and safe in the water through games and play. Streamlining (correct body position and form) is introduced. | Recreation | 4 | No |
| LEVEL 2 | NA | Gobies | Stingrays | Students learn the basics of streamlining, backstroke kicks and beginning stages of freestyle. Swimmers also practice underwater swimming. | Recreation | 5 | No |
| LEVEL 3 | NA | Tiger Barbs | Seals | Students refine their freestyle skills by learning side breathing (to preferred side) and complete backstroke. Body positioning and concentration are key as students combine techniques. Breaststroke and butterfly kicks are introduced as well. To register for Tiger Barbs please contact us at swimlessons@jccsf.org | Lap | 5 | Tiger Barbs: Yes Seals: No |
| LEVEL 4 | NA | NA | Dolphins | Students will now learn freestyle breathing to the non-preferred side while continuing to refine their freestyle and backstroke skills. Breaststroke and butterfly are developed further with an emphasis on arm movement. Students will be expected to swim the entire length of the lap pool (25 yards). | Lap | 6 | No |
| LEVEL 5 | NA | NA | Sharks | This level is geared toward our most advanced swimmers and split into two classes: Sharks and Tiger Sharks. Both levels continue to help swimmers improve their technique for the four competitive strokes, as well as teach them underwater starts, drills, open turns, flip turns and sit-down dives. To register please contact us at swimlessons@jccsf.org | Lap | 6 | Yes |
| SWIM TEAM | NA | NA | Pre-Swim Team | Please contact us at swimlessons@jccsf.org | Lap | 12 | Yes |
- Teen / Adult Beginner
Students in this class will develop confidence in the water by learning basic floating and freestyle skills. No swimming experience is needed for this class. - Teen / Adult Advanced
Prospective students should be comfortable swimming independently underwater. Students in this class will focus on technical skills for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
What Class Should My Child Take?
6 – 36 Months
Water Babies
Students in this class must have a parent or guardian in the class with them. Swim diapers are required and must be worn under the child’s swimsuit. There are no prerequisites to join this class. Students will learn to become confident in and under the water.
Ages 3 – 5
My child is new to swimming or is not yet swimming independently:
Frogs
Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
My child is comfortable in the water:
Frogs
Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
Gobies
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Frogs class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
My child is comfortable swimming independently:
Gobies
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Frogs class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
Tiger Barbs
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim freestyle (without breathing) for 7 – 10 feet. Prospective students must also able to streamline kick on their back. Graduation from Gobies confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Relaxed head-down freestyle swim without breathing
- Correct streamline form
- Correct backstroke kicks with arms in streamline
Ages 6 – 12
My child is new to swimming or is not yet swimming independently:
Puffers (equivalent to Frogs)
There are no prerequisites to register for this class. Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
My child is comfortable in the water:
Puffers (equivalent to Frogs)
There are no prerequisites to register for this class. Students will become confident swimming underwater and floating independently.
Prerequisites: None
Stingrays (equivalent to Gobies)
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Puffers class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
My child is comfortable swimming independently:
Stingrays (equivalent to Gobies)
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to float independently for 3 – 5 feet. Prospective students must be comfortable underwater and must be able to maintain their front and back float for a minimum of 5 seconds. Graduation from Puffers class confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Independently float 3 – 5 feet
- Independently get into and hold a front float with face underwater for at least 5 seconds
- Independently get into and hold a back float for at least 5 seconds
Seals (equivalent to Tiger Barbs)
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim freestyle (without breathing) for 7 – 10 feet. Prospective students must also able to streamline kick on their back. Graduation from Stingrays confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Relaxed head-down freestyle swim without breathing
- Correct streamline form
- Correct backstroke kicks with arms in streamline
My child would like to prepare for competitive swimming:
Dolphins
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim freestyle (with side breathing to one side) and backstroke. Prospective students must also be able to demonstrate correct breaststroke and butterfly kicks. Graduation from Tiger Barbs or Seals confirms eligibility for this level.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Freestyle with side breathing on one side
- Correct backstroke with arms and kicks
- Correct breaststroke kicks
- Correct butterfly kicks
Sharks
To enroll in this class, your child must be able to swim the four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Prospective students must also be able to do a proper sit-down dive and underwater somersault. Graduation from Dolphins class confirms eligibility for this level. Please contact the Aquatics Office to register for this class at 415.292.1268 or swimlessons@jccsf.org.
Prerequisites: Prospective students must be able to perform ALL of the following skills:
- Freestyle with side breathing on both sides
- Correct backstroke with arms and kicks
- Correct breaststroke form with arms and kicks
- Correct butterfly form with arms and kicks
- Correct sit-down dive
- Front somersault underwater
Ages 13+
Teen / Adult Beginner
Students in this class will develop confidence in the water by learning basic floating and freestyle skills. No swimming experience is needed for this class.
Teen / Adult Advanced
Prospective students should be comfortable swimming independently underwater. Students in this class will focus on technical skills for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS + SEMI-PRIVATE
Does your swimmer need a little extra support to gain confidence in the water or master a specific skill? Our private/semi-private lessons are 30 minutes each and are held on a weekly basis on Friday afternoons.
Private Swim Lesson rates are listed below.
View our Private Swim Lessons policies & procedures.
Interested in registering for private swim classes? Contact us at swimlessons@jccsf.org.
Monthly Rates
Group Lessons
Pre-Swim Team
Private Lessons
Pricing effective July 1, 2023. Visit our financial assistance page to learn about available payment aid options.
Just started infant swim classes here in the newly remodeled aquatics center and it's been wonderful so far! Amazing, attentive staff, very covid cautious precautions and a wonderful new facility. In our class of 5 infants, there were 3 instructors (plus parents) which felt like a great ratio. Easy underground parking. Classes filled quickly and they're well worth it!
Lydia B.
Parent
FAQS
What Covid-19 health and safety protocols are in effect?
Read the latest JCCSF Covid-19 Update
- Parents and caregivers are permitted to wait in the Swim School bleacher area, the lower lobby or on available benches and chairs in the Aquatics Center during lessons.
- Class sizes vary according to level. Frogs and Puffers classes have a maximum of 4 students. Water Babies, Gobies, Stingrays, Tiger Barbs and Seals have a maximum of 5 students. Dolphins and Sharks have a maximum of 6 students.
- A new dehumidifying system with MERV-13 filters will be in place that changes out the air six times per hour, two more than the required minimum for indoor pools.
Who qualifies for member pricing versus public pricing?
What dates and times will be available?
Will there be waitlists?
What if my child’s swimming progress has regressed since they last took lessons?
Who is eligible to be in Semi-Private lessons?
What if I’m having trouble registering?
If you are attempting to register for a class that shows “One Spot Remaining” but the class has a full waitlist, it means the spot has been offered to someone on the waitlist, which means a waitlist spot will be opening up soon. We recommend keeping an eye on the website to catch these spots as they become available.
Our system is only able to process one Aquatics registration per transaction. If you are attempting to register for multiple classes/waitlists, the system may not let you push past the student selection page. Please register for one class or waitlist at a time.
If you are unable to view the required questions on mobile, please register via laptop or desktop as our registration system is optimized for larger screens.
If you are attempting to register but cannot select your child’s name, your child likely does not meet the age requirement for the chosen class. – If the age range is correct and you are still unable to process the registration, it may mean your child’s age is not correct within our system.
Waitlist offer links can only be accessed once and are tied to the time limit stated in the offer email. If you select the link and exit out of the page before completing the registration process, you will not be able to select the link again.
Our payment page has up to three (3) actionable items that must be completed in order for the registration to process fully. The immediate payables cover the amount due for the current month’s classes. An ongoing payment method must then be added so our system may continue to charge you for as long as you are enrolled. Once both actions have been completed, please select the green DONE button in the top right corner of the payment page to finalize your enrollment. This is a required step. To ensure your registration is successful, please check your inbox for a confirmation email with the title “JCCSF Swim School Class Registration Confirmation.”
For assistance with registration issues, please reach out to our Aquatics team at 415.292.1268 or swimlessons@jccsf.org.
Related Programs
Summer Camp
JCCSF Dance School
Youth Sports Classes
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Have a question about Swim School? Reach out to our team — we’d love to hear from you!