Water Comfort & Foundations
Building confidence in the water: basic safety, supported floating on front and back, breath control, and gentle movement.
Best for: First-time swimmers or those still building water confidence.
Lakeside Swim SchoolEdgewater · Chicago
2026 Sessions
Group swim lessons for ages 4–15
Small, leveled classes that take swimmers from their first comfortable float to confident multi-stroke technique. Every class runs 45 minutes, once a week.
45 min · weekly
5 progression levels
Weekday & weekend
Summer Session 2 has already started
Online registration for this session is now closed. To join a class, please contact our office and we'll get your swimmer signed up.
The progression
Five levels, one lane at a time
Swimmers are grouped by ability so each class can move at the right pace. Here's what each stage builds.
Skill Foundations
Backstroke fundamentals — body position, kicking, arm motion, and coordinated movement on the back, with strong safety skills.
Best for: Comfortable swimmers ready for structured stroke work.
Technique Development
Freestyle (front crawl): breathing, body alignment, kicking efficiency, arm mechanics, and swimming longer distances with better form.
Best for: Independent swimmers refining freestyle.
Advanced Skills
Refining freestyle and backstroke while introducing breaststroke. Focus on efficiency, endurance, technique correction, and pacing.
Best for: Confident swimmers ready for multiple strokes and stamina.
The schedule
Summer Session 2 schedule
Pick a day and time, then tap Sign up. In Vagaro, navigate to the start week of the session to find your class and complete registration.
Level 1
Levels 2–3
Levels 4–5
Weekdays
Swift Elementary · 5900 N Winthrop AveWeekends
Edgewater Athletic Club · 1040 W Granville AveLocations
Weekday classes — Swift Elementary, 5900 N Winthrop Ave.
Weekend classes — Edgewater Athletic Club, 1040 W Granville Ave.
Session dates
Missed class policy
Make-up classes are not guaranteed. If space is available, we'll try our best to allow one make-up class per session.
Sign up for our newsletter → for the updated schedule and openings.
Questions about placement? Reach out before you register and we'll point you to the right level.
Good to know
Group Classes — FAQ
Everything parents usually ask about our children’s group swim sessions. Tap a question to expand it.
01What ages can join?
Group classes are for children ages 4–15. Swimmers are grouped by skill level — not just age — so every child learns in a safe, encouraging group that matches their ability.
02How long is each class, and how often?
Every class is 45 minutes and meets once a week for the length of the session.
03What is the class size?
We keep a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio so each swimmer gets plenty of individual attention.
04When do the 2026 sessions run?
Summer Session 2: Monday, July 20 – Wednesday, August 20 (6 weeks).
Fall Session: Tuesday, September 8 – Monday, November 16 (10 weeks).
Fall has no lessons on Oct 12 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day), Nov 3 (Election Day), and Nov 11 (Veterans Day), so some weekdays run 8–9 lessons instead of 10.
05How much does a session cost?
Summer Session 2 is $165 (6 weeks). Fall Session is $275 (10 weeks). Both include one 45-minute class per week at any level.
06Where are classes held?
Weekday classes: Swift Elementary, 5900 N Winthrop Ave.
Weekend classes: Edgewater Athletic Club (EAC), 1040 W Granville Ave.
07What days and times are available?
Weekdays (Mon–Fri): classes between 4:45 and 7:00 PM.
Weekends (Sat & Sun): classes between 9:45 AM and 12:00 PM.
Exact times depend on level and day — choose what works for you at registration, based on availability.
08How do I register?
Use the Sign Up button next to the class you want in the schedule above. It opens that class in Vagaro — just navigate to the start week of the session to find the class and complete registration.
09What should my child bring?
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Goggles (recommended)
- Swim cap (optional)
- A positive attitude and readiness to learn!
10Are make-up lessons available if we miss a class?
Make-ups are not guaranteed, but we’ll do our best to fit you in if space allows. Please let us know at least 24 hours before the class you’ll miss.
11What is your refund policy?
All sales are final, and group classes are non-refundable once the session begins. Transfers to another class may be possible if space is available.
12How are swimmers evaluated?
Instructors track each swimmer’s progress throughout the session. At the end, families receive a progress update and a recommendation for next-level placement.
13What if my child is a beginner or nervous in the water?
That’s completely normal! Our instructors specialize in building comfort and confidence through patient, encouraging, and fun instruction — Level 1 is designed for exactly this.
14Can siblings be in the same class?
Siblings can be placed together if they’re close in both age and skill level. Otherwise we recommend separate levels so each child can progress at their own pace.
15What happens if a class is canceled?
If we ever cancel for pool closure or weather, we’ll notify you right away and offer a make-up or class credit depending on the situation.
16How will I get updates and reminders?
You’ll receive automated confirmation and reminder emails before classes begin. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) for messages from Lakeside Swim School.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to help with placement or anything else — call 312-718-8614 or email info@lakesideswimschool.com.