Goldfish Swim School – St. Charles

My wife and I grew up in competitive swimming. We both taught swim lessons and have been around water our entire lives. We didn’t know about Goldfish until recently, and now our kids won’t ever have lessons anywhere else. Goldfish solves all of the problems with kid’s swim lessons in more conventional settings. The entire facility is dedicated to swim lessons for children. The pool is purpose built. The water temp and air temp are nice and warm, and the instructor/​student ratio is fantastic. In just two lessons our now 4 year old son has made more strides than he had in the past two years. Simply fantastic!

I’ve been taking my son here for lessons for 2 years. When he started he was 4 and he didn’t know how to swim. The instructors are fantastic. Each lane/​class holds no more than 4 kids so the lessons feel ‘private’. The pool is warm too… unlike many school pools. Don’t be fooled by how young the instructors are — they pay close attention to each child and help them move to the next level. The pool is an impressively ran operation. Classes are never late. If you call ahead to let them know you are going to miss a class, you can make it up any time there is an opening for that level any day. We had my son’s birthday here last year and we are doing the same this year. He is now almost 7 and in the recreational league (which is like swim team). It’s great for confidence and especially water safety. Goldfish is a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

I feel that Goldfish teaches more safety swimming then other places. I also like the once a week lessons vs the one week lessons in the summer. My girls are truley keeping up with what they’re learning.

We absolutely love Goldfish! My son has been going since December 2014 and loves going.
We originally went to a similar place in North Aurora. Everything was just «ok». After trying out a class at Goldfish we immediately switched.
Every staff member is kind and helpful. My son has had 2 teachers so far and they are exceptional. I called with a question and they were very helpful and the manager actually cared about my problem.
The classes are small and there are tons of scheduling options!

The only thing I remember from my swimming lessons as a child was shivering. Goldfish solved that problem and offers a warm, inviting, fun experience for each lesson. My family is greeted every time we walk in the door, and most of the instructors know my daughter’s name. There are warm showers, clean and private changing rooms as well as hair dryers available. The front desk staff offers excellent customer service. My daughter has been enrolled since the school opened and has had a few different instructors. Every single one has been great. My twins will be old enough to be signed up for lessons soon and I know that if any of my kids wants to pursue swimming, this is the place to be.

I do not post reviews very often for companies on here but I have been so pleased with Goldfish that I just wanted say a few words. First of all my daughter is beyond excited every week to come swimming here. We have been putting off getting my daughter swim lessons because the park districts have horrible hours that do not help working parents at all. If you are lucky enough to have a weekend class it is filled in 2 seconds and it is a knock down drag out fight to get in. Last year our daughter went to a pool party and promptly sunk to the bottom and we realized we had better do something. Goldfish has been so great. They have such great availability we can take my daughter after work at 6:30. The staff is friendly and happy to see you, my daughter lovers her instructor.
I highly recommend coming here for swim lessons and I wish I knew about it sooner.
This is a place created for the modern world for people who are not lucky enough to be able to have a stay at home parent. Sometimes I feel like everything is so geared to the 1950’s suburban ideal of what America is and only having availability during work hours is just not realistic.
So good job to Goldfish, other business could take a lesson from you on how to treat their customers.

Great instructors! Fun learning classes and overall a great experience for the kids!

Both me and my boys are very happy with Goldfish. I had only planned to stay a couple of months as we rotate activities but I have seen so much progress with my 2.5 and 6 year old that I no longer have an end date in sight.
Water conditions have always been ideal. Both boys are extremely comfortable with their teachers. After the very first lesson my older boy told me he felt a lot more comfortable with his teachers here because «they made him feel safe in the water here.» The little one starts yelling in his car seat as soon as he catches sight of the building — «let me out! I gotta swim! I GO TOOOOO! Find Mr James!»
Facility is well thought out and completely accommodating to kids. Staff cheerful and great with kids. I needed a program that took 2 years olds without the parent (since I am not comfortable with my face in the water, I didn’t want to pass on my hesitation to my son.) My little one has James for his teacher and he took to him immediately. Even when he has a «toddler moment,» James finds a way to reconnect with him and help him get back on track.

This place is beyond expectations in every way! The facility and swim teachers are extraordinary! 3 of my kids started here last month and I truly feel that I found a needle in a haystack. The needle being the best swimming lessons for my kids!

Right when you walk in you will notice that this place is so much different than any other pool. Bright colors draw the kids in and the friendly staff make them feel comfortable.

We did a swim birthday party here and it was a huge hit. The kids loved the warm water making it easy to jump right in. The lifeguards do a no stress swim test and life jackets for the non-​swimmers making parents comfortable. They have a plethora of floating and diving toys to keep them busy and the guards even did games with them. Although I think they would not have cared a bit if they where left to just play the entire time. We had to bribe them with cupcakes to get them out of the pool!
After swimming the kids all enjoyed the cabana style dressing rooms and the hair dryers with surfboard seats.
Each child got their own cupcake (with blue icing) and a juice pouch. A few of the kids sported frosting mustaches by the end. The kids all left smiling and we got many positive comments about the great party for days afterward.

Learning how to swim is one of those critical life lessons that everyone should learn. I have been taking my toddler to the brand-​new Goldfish Swim School in St. Charles and this facility and staff are, hands down, the best I’ve ever experienced. The differences between the lessons at Goldfish Swim School and every other swim class I’ve ever visited are extraordinary.
The Good: First and foremost, the main reason I love Goldfish is the people. Every single employee — from the instructors to the lifeguards and management to the receptionist — are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. When you walk in to Goldfish Swim School you are honestly treated like family. For instance, after only one lesson, everyone there knew my son’s name and greeted him as we walked in. Then, during our lesson, another team member will walk over to say hi and see how he’s doing. I’m telling you now, you’re in good hands at Goldfish!
Each lesson plan is designed to teach swimming skills progressively — getting a little «harder» each time, or just a bit more challenging to try and coax your child out of their comfort zone a bit. My son, not yet 3 when we began lessons, started in the Mini 2 class, which is one of the classes where a parent participates in the lessons. On our first day of class my son clung to me almost the entire time. He was terrified of separation in the water. Thankfully, with the help of his instructor, by the end of six lessons he was able to completely dunk his head underwater for a few seconds and moved more freely in the water. The class taught basic swimming skills using songs and games to really keep kids engaged in the class. Not once did I hear «I don’t want to go to swim class today!» from my son — in fact he eagerly anticipated our Friday classes!
Then there’s the facility. The most modern, kid-​friendly, and state-​of-​the-​art swim schools I’ve ever seen. It’s just nice… really nice. The pool area is one of the best I’ve seen, and other amenities at Goldfish Swim School are awesome too! There’s a hair drying area (with about 6 hand hair dryers), a diaper changing station with complimentary diapers, a chalkboard, a coloring table, magazines, and cool cabana-​style changing rooms.
They also sell related swim gear and offer birthday party packages.
The Bad: Absolutely nothing. Kids will love lessons here!
Overall: We love Goldfish Swim School because my son used to be so afraid of the water, but now jumps in without hesitation. We couldn’t have asked for a better school or instructor for him.

I absolutely love Goldfish Swim School! Alex and his entire staff are amazing. From the «critical eye» of the «overprotective Auntie», I was at ease the minute I walked through the doors. I record every session I attend (I try to make every single lesson but sometimes miss one or two) and at first would review them to «see if there was something concerning». After the very first session for my nephew, I saw an incredible transformation in him and his immediate bond with his instructor. He LOVES going to swim lessons each week and I am so thankful for the 1:1 attention he receives, the patience of the instructors, the feedback and accolades they give at the end of the session and the «freedom» they allow where I can watch and record my nephew. :) Truly — I love this facility. I would recommend it to anyone and may even take swim lessons myself! :)

I discovered Goldfish Swim School (GSS) after spending months talking to my friends about their experiences at swim clubs and researching instructors, methods, and private and public facilities. Discouraged, I contacted two private instructors when I discovered GSS. I called GSS and spoke with the manager, Alex, and he put me to ease immediately. He answered all of my questions and explained GSS history, their teaching methods and the credentials of the instructors. There was one particular method that was all the rage but was recently identified as being unsafe for children. Before I could ask about it, Alex informed me they do not teach that method due to safety issues for the children. I was very relieved.
James, our son’s instructor, is phenomenal. The whole staff is, really. Our son is ecstatic to swim each week and talks about «Mr. James» all the time. James has established safety and trust with our son and that is, by far, one the greatest blessing we could have received. We have seen our son grow in confidence and courage every week since day one (when the facility opened). The end-​of-​lesson assessments provide us with a clear understanding of where our son is in his learning and what’s to come. Every child gets a ribbon at the end of their lesson — which is awesome to celebrate the successes each week. The individualized attention to each student shows how much these folks care.
The facility itself is outstanding! From the first step in, the place SCREAMS fun! The staff is friendly, professional, and incredibly accommodating to answer questions or make recommendations. And they smile all the time! The place is immaculately clean, the water is heated and the pool area is kept very warm, which helps make what could be a traumatic situation for children very calm. It surprised both my husband and I at how child-​friendly and bright the environment is and how invested the management and staff is in the children and the parents.
GSS has more than exceeded our expectations. If you aren’t sure if this is the right place, I strongly encourage you to check it out. Call and talk to Alex and then take a tour of the facility. You will not be disappointed.

My kids started right when this place opened. I am throughly impressed with the facility and staff. My daughter has been taking lessons from the park district for two summers now and I’ve seen a little bit of improvement but since we could only do Saturdays she only had six lessons and that just wasn’t enough.
The flexible schedule and times helps a TON. When we started they asked ME what time would work for us. Huh? Really?! That never happens. Usually it’s a knock down drag out battle to get into weekend classes.
After just four lessons I started to see major improvements. The kids were finally comfortable with their teachers and started to really trust them. The water is always warm, as is the air in the pool area. They provide just about anything you would need or maybe forgot at home.
I will say it’s not cheap. However, I have yet to see small class size, indoor lessons for less than $ 20 a lesson. That being said, I do feel it’s super important for my kids to learn how to swim and water safety. Somehow, someway we’ll find a way to cover the costs, even if we have to limit other activities.
I’m so happy to finally have a place that’s close and dedicated soley to swim lessons.

We have been going to Goldfish Swim School in St. Charles since their first day of opening in August, and we love it! We have tried other swim programs before and wasted money because my boys wouldn’t go in the water. The water at Goldfish is a perfect temperature and the atmosphere screams «kid-​friendly!» My boys are 5 and 6 and they ask to go there every day! We make the 20 minute drive every week for lessons and its worth it for us.
I love too that they offer family swim for free during the week for members and I think its $ 5 per person (up to $ 15 for a family) on the weekends for even non-​members! If you are looking for somewhere to swim this winter or a great place for swim lessons, Goldfish is the place to go! The staff is amazing and I honestly have nothing bad to say!

Goldfish corrected their issues and my bad, it’s not chlorine water, it’s salt but not the salty kind of water. Alex (the owner) tried to explain it to me how their water is different but then he got a bit technical and I drew a blank face!
I’ve been to family swim twice now and planning to go regularly.
I’m so excited Goldfish is here!