We teach children as young as 6 months (our Blue Pearls Program). This program is designed for infants and toddlers 6-35 months old and includes three progressive levels. The first two levels require the parent to be in the water with the child. The third level still requires parental engagement, but can be from the deck area.
Frequently Asked Questions
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Children may begin our Synchronized Swimming program as early as the age of seven. To qualify for enrollment, the child must be able to swim one full length (25 yards) independently.
Synchronized Swimming (Artistic Swimming) is an Olympic sport that combines dance, gymnastics, and swimming. This beautiful and very challenging sport builds endurance, strength, agility, flexibility, self-confidence and artistry. Together in teams, duets, trios or as a single swimmer, athletes perform choreographed routines building both body and mind, instilling lifetime skills and unforgettable team spirit experiences.
- All of our beginner Swim Program levels (excluding Parent & Child Programs) have a 3:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- Swim Programs Blue Pearls 3, Aquamarine 2-4 levels, Sapphire 2-5 levels have a 4:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- Blue Pearls 1 & 2 levels have a 5:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- Diamond level (Swim Club) has a 6:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- All Synchronized Swimming programs have a 10:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- Swim Programs Blue Pearls 3, Aquamarine 2-4 levels, Sapphire 2-5 levels have a 4:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- Blue Pearls 1 & 2 levels have a 5:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- Diamond level (Swim Club) has a 6:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
- All Synchronized Swimming programs have a 10:1 maximum student to teacher ratio.
All members will receive notification of our Camps and Special Events throughout the year. Information will also be available on our website under our News & Events tab.
ENROLLMENT/ FEES/ DISCOUNTS
Our perpetual monthly lesson plan provides convenience and flexibility for your schedule. We understand life happens, that is why we offer the ability to cancel your enrollment with 30 days notice. Don’t worry, we will keep track of all of your progress and you can continue your enrollment whenever you are ready.
You can sign up anytime! During your initial class our experienced instructors will ensure you are enrolled in the proper level based on your abilities. Our class openings are available to view on our website and are always current and up-to-date. Payment can be made when registering through your Parent Portal.
Yes! We offer discounts for either multiple family member enrollment or multi-class per week enrollments.
Life happens! You can cancel your enrollment anytime with 30 day notice via your Parent Portal or at our front desk.
Yes, we allow up to 15 make-up lessons per year.
Absences must be scheduled 24 hours in advance to be eligible for a makeup class. Out of the 15 total absences per student, we allow 5 “same day absences” per year which are still eligible for a makeup class (i.e. child wakes up sick, car trouble, etc.). Families have 45 days from the day of the absence to make up the class. Makeup classes can be scheduled up to 7 days in advance.
Does not apply to Camps, Synchronized Swimming Sapphire and Diamond programs (team performances involved in these levels with seasonal commitment). Please visit our Policy page for more details.
Absences must be scheduled 24 hours in advance to be eligible for a makeup class. Out of the 15 total absences per student, we allow 5 “same day absences” per year which are still eligible for a makeup class (i.e. child wakes up sick, car trouble, etc.). Families have 45 days from the day of the absence to make up the class. Makeup classes can be scheduled up to 7 days in advance.
Does not apply to Camps, Synchronized Swimming Sapphire and Diamond programs (team performances involved in these levels with seasonal commitment). Please visit our Policy page for more details.
Blue Gems will be closed during the following holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Your account will be pro-rated for any lessons that are scheduled on these days.
Does not apply to the Synchronized Swimming Sapphire and Diamond programs (team performances involved in these levels with seasonal commitment).
Does not apply to the Synchronized Swimming Sapphire and Diamond programs (team performances involved in these levels with seasonal commitment).
In the event of an unexpected facility closure, your account will pro-rated accordingly. We will notify all enrolled students as soon as possible during these circumstances.
Absolutely! You can request the change through your Parent Portal or at our front desk. All of our class openings are available to view on our website and are always current and up-to-date.
All of our class openings are available to view on our website or in your Parent Portal. Availability is always current and up-to-date. You can always call or stop by our front desk with any questions!
Our teachers have set schedules for their classes and a majority of the time you will have the same instructor, but sometimes their schedules need to be adjusted based on their life circumstances. All of our instructors have undergone our Blue Gems comprehensive instructor education program and work closely with one another to ensure consistency in teaching methodology.
This depends on which level your student is entering. Our class offerings provide for a wide range of dates and times to help keep your schedule consistent.
STUDENT PROGRESS
Please arrive 10 minutes before your first class, one of our instructors/managers will meet you on the pool deck next to your assigned lane, which you will receive through your confirmation email.
Don’t forget your swimsuit, towel, swim cap and googles (swim cap is recommended, but not required)! Our facility has all the necessary teaching equipment to use during swim lessons.
Don’t forget your swimsuit, towel, swim cap and googles (swim cap is recommended, but not required)! Our facility has all the necessary teaching equipment to use during swim lessons.
You can register for your free Trial Assessment Class online or at our front desk. Feel free to take our Online Swim Assessment Quiz to help determine your appropriate level. You can also call us at 312-312-7510 and we will assist you with the proper level placement.
Every 3 months we evaluate (Aquamarine & Sapphire programs) students detailing their accomplishments as well as what they need to work on further. Progress reports can be requested through your Parent Portal or at the front desk.
Our attentive instructors pick up on skill differences very quickly and are aware of the abilities that your child needs to acquire in order to progress to the next level.
We understand that everyone learns in their own ways and at their own pace, which is why our instructors observe and adjust teaching methods as needed. We’re constantly evaluating our students and are very flexible when it comes to working with each child’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
Our small group classes and personalized attention allow for our instructors to quickly evaluate each child’s strengths and weaknesses and to adjust their teaching methods as needed to ensure progress and confidence for each student in their group.
Our small group classes and personalized attention allow for our instructors to quickly evaluate each child’s strengths and weaknesses and to adjust their teaching methods as needed to ensure progress and confidence for each student in their group.
SAFETY
To prevent accidents in the pool as well as ensure a safe swimming environment, please do not feed your child at least thirty minutes before lessons and make sure your child uses the restroom before each swim lesson.
A parent/guardian must remain at the facility for the duration of the lesson unless the child arrives independently. Parents are required to help enforce our no running as well as not entering the pool area without instructor permission policies. We do not allow food or glass in the pool area per state law.
A parent/guardian must remain at the facility for the duration of the lesson unless the child arrives independently. Parents are required to help enforce our no running as well as not entering the pool area without instructor permission policies. We do not allow food or glass in the pool area per state law.
To ensure health and safety we require any child under the age of 3 and any child not fully potty-trained to wear two swim diapers - one disposable swim diaper and one re-useable diaper on top.