Frequently Asked
Questions
All registrations are online so that you can create a family swim account.
New Families: Click 'Classes & Pricing' above to see a list of all of our swim programs. For students 3-10 years wanting to join group lessons, register for a STEP 1 class to receive a placement evaluation.
Returning Families: Log into your Parent Portal account. Keep in mind that you may need to email us to unarchive your account if it’s been a while since you last swam with us.
*The Parent Portal also lets you view classes, add swimmers, and update billing information.
We are a year-round swim school, which means that enrollment is perpetual. Your student will start the same week you enroll them!
All new students (ages 3-10 years) in group lessons will need to register for STEP 1 for a placement evaluation.
Group lessons are organized by age and ability. Children ages 3–5yr participate in our Preschool groups, while children ages 6–10yr are placed in our School Age groups.
Private Lessons are available for children ages 15mo - 12yr and do not require a separate evaluation. Skill levels are assessed during the child’s first scheduled lesson.
If your child is already a strong and independent swimmer, please reach out to us prior to registering so that we can schedule them in a higher level for their placement evaluation.
For convenience purposes, we offer monthly auto-draft. Simply store your preferred credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) in your Parent Portal account.
Payments will be processed on the 25th of each month.
Please note that your initial payment may be prorated based on the remaining days in the month and will include the Annual Registration Fee.
The Annual Registration Fee (covering the entire family) is required. This fee supports administrative costs and also includes:
- First Day Medal
- Logo Swim Bag (after 4th lesson)
- Online Make-Up Lesson scheduling
- Monthly Progress Reports & Skill Assessments
- Graduation Ribbons, Certificates, Fast Track Medals & trips to the Treasure Box
- Access to special events & priority registration
- 50% off Open Family Swim
We offer year-round swimming with complete flexibility. No contracts required! Simply swim with us as long as you'd like. Your spot is guaranteed until you notify us of any changes or are ready to take a break.
Just be sure to email us at Swim@AlligatorSteps.com by the 20th of the month in order to be effectively removed from auto-pay for the following month.
No Contracts: We understand that every family's needs are different. There's no set enrollment length, and you can cancel your swim lesson subscription anytime.
Focus on Your Child's Progress: Decide on the number of lessons that best suit your child's learning pace.
Simple Cancellation Process: To drop lessons, just send an email to Swim@AlligatorSteps.com by the 20th of the month. We'll stop your auto-draft and unenroll your child at the end of that month.
In our experience, children ages 4yr+ typically take 16-18 lessons to complete each swim level (STEP). By the end of STEP 2, children will begin swimming short distances independently. This translates to approximately 35 lessons to reach this milestone.
Remember, every child learns at their own pace. Some may progress faster, while others may need more time. Learning to swim is a journey that requires dedication and consistent effort.
NOTE: For our youngest swimmers (ages 0-3yr), progress can vary widely. Factors like their initial comfort level in the water play a significant role in their development, making it difficult to predict a specific timeline.
- Just a swimsuit and towel!
- Children under 3yr, or not fully potty-trained, require a double diaper - a disposable swim diaper and a Happy Nappy® reusable swim diaper cover (available for purchase at your first lesson).
- Leave all toys and flotation devices at home. Goggles are allowed for STEP 4 and above. No masks or nose plugs.
- NOTE: We will send out a Welcome Letter email a few days prior to your first lesson sharing more details to include where to go, what to bring and what to expect at your first lesson.
- 5% sibling discount on the 2nd+ child
- 15% off a second weekly class for the same child
- 10% off for Active Duty Military families after their first month of enrollment
- *Only 1 discount can be applied to each transaction - we use the biggest!
Students can begin swim lessons as early as 6 months! However, we offer a variety of classes for children up to the age of 12 years.
Each STEP in our curriculum includes 8 skills (5 for Parent/Tot) for your child to master. We conduct monthly evaluations and email you updates. Track their progress and access helpful demo videos in your Parent Portal at anytime.
We allow children to wear goggles in STEP 4+, once they complete the Beginners Program.
We believe in developing well-rounded swimmers who can adapt to any situation. While goggles are great fun, learning to navigate underwater without them builds essential survival skills for unexpected situations.
*NOTE: Masks and nose plugs are not allowed.
Swimming is a valuable life skill! We know the first few lessons can be challenging for some young children. Our team uses a playful approach to build confidence and turn those initial jitters into excitement. Most children adjust within 3-4 lessons.
However, we recognize that separation can be a hurdle for some young children. If this is the case for your child, we offer a special class called STEP Prep. This class allows you to join your child on deck to provide support and guidance until they are ready for independent lessons. Our primary goal is to ensure a positive and enjoyable swim experience for all our students.
Our Beginner Group Lessons have a 4:1 ratio. We believe that the smaller class size helps facilitate learning for our students that are just starting their swim journey, and provides them with a positive learning environment.
Yes we sure do! Click on the ‘Classes & Pricing’ link above to view all of our swim programs. Each option includes a live schedule and registration link.
*Our Toddler Private Lessons & Special Abilities Lessons are taught by experienced instructors with additional specialized certifications through the US Swim School Association.