swim lessons
The Glenview Park District offers a nationally-recognized swim instruction curriculum developed by the Starfish Aquatics Institute. This includes a variety of group and private lessons for all swimming abilities and ages.
group swim lessons
Offering a variety of group swim lessons for ages 3 months and up. Swim classes will focus on specific swim skills and activities that are designed to prepare the class to achieve and master skills while progressing through each level. On the first day, swimmers will be evaluated and divided into small groups, based on their swim skills. Ratios will vary based on level, ability and behavior of class.
Swimmers will advance to the next stage once they complete the benchmark skills. Throughout the session, staff will continue to evaluate each swimmer’s skills and progression. Swimmers may be moved into a different level or location. Each swimmer’s individual progression and comfort level will be considered to provide the best environment for all participants.
Register your child for the program that corresponds with his or her age:
StarTots: 6 months – 23 months + adult
Starfish Swim School® for Preschoolers: 3-5 years
Starfish Swim School® for Youth: 6-12 years
Stroke School*: for students 6-12 years who have passed the Level 3 stage of Starfish Swim School Youth or equivalent.
* New to the Glenview Park District swim program and think your swimmer is ready for Stroke School?
We recommend you register for Starfish Swim School for Youth. While registering, please include a note that you think they are prepared for stroke. Staff will evaluate and place at an appropriate level on the first day of class.
group swim program details
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
preschool/youth descriptions |
Swimmers will be introduced to basic swim skills. Instructors will focus on trust, submersion and air recovery body position. | Level 2 will continue working on their air recovery and body position. The main focus of Level 2 is forward movement and direction change. | Level 3 will focus on forward and rotary movement with an introduction of 1-2-3 breathing. | |
preschool/youth benchmarks |
Swimmers must be able to jump in, submerge, come up and take a breath, roll on their back and float for 5 seconds. | Swimmers must completely jump in, come up for air, kick and pull forward 10 feet on their front and back, change direction and return to their side independently. | Swimmers must jump in and recover to side glide and be able to swim freestyle 10 feet. | |
stroke school descriptions |
Swimmers will be challenged to build endurance and improve their integrated movement. | Swimmers will learn and refine freestyle and backstroke with an introduction of open and flip turns. | Swimmers will learn and refine butterfly and breaststroke, plus develop an understanding of basic training principles in preparation for swim team | |
stroke school benchmarks |
Swimmers must be able to start in side glide, swim overarm pulls with kick 30 feet with 1-2-3 breathe pattern. | Swimmers must have passed Stroke School – Level 1 or be able to swim freestyle and backstroke at least 25 yards (1 length) demonstrating strong endurance and good form. | Swimmers must have completed Level 2 of Stroke School or be able to swim butterfly and breaststroke at least 25 yards (1 length) with good form and endurance. |
preschool/youth descriptions
| Level 1 | Swimmers will be introduced to basic swim skills. Instructors will focus on trust, submersion and air recovery body position. |
| Level 2 | Level 2 will continue working on their air recovery and body position. The main focus of Level 2 is forward movement and direction change. |
| Level 3 | Level 3 will focus on forward and rotary movement with an introduction of 1-2-3 breathing. |
preschool/youth benchmarks
| Level 1 | Swimmers must be able to jump in, submerge, come up and take a breath, roll on their back and float for 5 seconds. |
| Level 2 | Swimmers must completely jump in, come up for air, kick and pull forward 10 feet on their front and back, change direction and return to their side independently. |
| Level 3 | Swimmers must jump in and recover to side glide and be able to swim freestyle 10 feet. |
stroke school descriptions
| Level 1 | Swimmers will be challenged to build endurance and improve their integrated movement. |
| Level 2 | Swimmers will learn and refine freestyle and backstroke with an introduction of open and flip turns. |
| Level 3 | Swimmers will learn and refine butterfly and breaststroke, plus develop an understanding of basic training principles in preparation for swim team |
stroke school benchmarks
| Level 1 | Swimmers must be able to start in side glide, swim overarm pulls with kick 30 feet with 1-2-3 breathe pattern. |
| Level 2 | Swimmers must have passed Stroke School – Level 1 or be able to swim freestyle and backstroke at least 25 yards (1 length) demonstrating strong endurance and good form. |
| Level 3 | Swimmers must have completed Level 2 of Stroke School or be able to swim butterfly and breaststroke at least 25 yards (1 length) with good form and endurance. |
private lessons
The Glenview Park District offers private swim lessons for participants of all ages. Private lessons are great for new swimmers, kids who hope to make the swim team, or adults trying to get back into shape! All swim instructors are certified by Starfish Aquatics Institute and undergo regular training. Many of our swim instructors have years of competitive swim experience and are excellent teachers.
- Our experienced instructors will customize their teaching styles to meet your swim lesson needs.
- All private lessons are 30 minutes long.
- Our swim instructors’ availability and biographies are listed online for you to book at your convenience.
- Swim instructors will wear masks in the water during the swim lesson and disinfect equipment before and after each lesson.
Private Lessons are only for 1 individual. We do not offer semi-private lessons.
Click here to see a list of our swim instructors.
Get 5, SAVE 10%
Private lessons do not need to be scheduled at the time of purchase, but must be booked within 3 months of purchase date. This promotion is nonrefundable and final sale. Anyone in your household is able to use the 5 lessons. You may purchase more than one package at a time.
Private Lesson Package
| Resident | $165 | $33 |
| Nonresident | $205 | $36.90 |
When you are ready to schedule the private lesson, you will select the swim instructor, date and time as normal. In your shopping cart, you will notice “Apply Coupon/Gift Certificate/Punch Payment/Reward” and select “Apply” and proceed to checkout. Make sure you then select “Continue” to initiate the payment authorization process and generate a confirmation receipt.
weather/cancellation policy (summer only!)
If the weather is questionable, please call the swim lesson hotline at 847 724 3337 for cancellation information, no more than one hour prior to the start of your class.
The Glenview Park District may need to cancel class due to inclement weather. The decision will be made based off of the following:
- If lightning and/or thunder is in the area and/or the Strike Guard Lightning Detection System issues a warning.
- The air temperature is below 65 degrees
If a class is cancelled due to those reasons above, a makeup class will be scheduled if possible.
- Make up classes will be scheduled by staff and communicated to participants following the cancelled class. Refunds and alternative dates will not be offered.
- If a makeup class is not offered by the Glenview Park District, a credit for that class will be issued to your park district account.
- No refunds or makeup will be issued outside of when the cancellation is made by the park district.
If class is canceled before the class begins, staff will update the weather hotline to notify participants. Updates will be posted within the hour of the class.
If Strike Guard Lightning Detection System goes off within the first 15 minutes of a swim lesson, the class will be offered a makeup date or a prorated credit. If this occurs 15 minutes or more into the class, no makeup or credit will be offered. Swim lessons will continue as normal through light rain.
