FAQ Little Vikes Swim Academy

We have done extensive research and tested several different programs before arriving at our current curriculum.  In the summer of 2012, we changed to using a pre-formatted curriculum designed by Swim Lessons University. This system is fundamentally based on a spiral learning model.  That means that the lessons involve a definite stroke progression for the competitive swimming strokes. The spiral learning model uses repetition and small increments up the progression ladder for each skill by starting with fundamental skills while adding modifications daily.  With the recurrence and progression of skills, the student has made considerable progress before you know it. The curriculum involves a numbering system, much like in the university system. The most rudimentary level starts at 100, and the most advanced is 400 level.  There are sublevels like 101, 102, and 103 along the way.  The emphasis of the whole program is to teach competitive swimming strokes. It is streamlined to teach those strokes and has proven to be a highly effective teaching model.

We have worked hard to keep our program's tuition as cost-effective as possible in the ever-changing swim lesson market. We are currently the only program in the area that offers 10 consecutive lesson days lasting 45 minutes at $150. That breaks down to $15.00 per 45-minute lesson. In our review of swim lessons offered in our area, you will find Little Vikes hard to beat if you compare these prices to other learn-to-swim programs.

We restrict each of the five class times during the day to 30 students with a waiting list for each class time. The number of students per class has decreased from years past to keep groups small and allow for the least intrusive student-to-student and instructor-to-student contact.  

We hire an entire staff of swim instructors each summer, and our class sizes are restricted to 25-30 students each hour depending on staff size. One of the staff members will always be the acting lifeguard during each class time. The others will be actively teaching lessons.  In our first two levels (100 and 200), we keep our class sizes no greater than 3-4 students. For the more advanced levels, class sizes could be a little larger. The 300 level classes could have up to 6 students and up to 8 students in the most advanced 400 level classes. Your child's safety is one of our primary concerns, so the group's size and ability level help us ascertain the safest group number for an optimal learning environment.

We accept all students starting at age four and up. We have welcomed students under the age of four in the past, but only when the class numbers are small enough to accommodate, and we need to fill the class.  While we do not anticipate their availability, we are happy to allow them to be placed on the waiting list. This list will be available when registration opens.

Each of the hired instructors teaching lessons is a current or former VHS Varsity team member. All instructors are required to carry a current lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid certification.  We also encourage our instructors to maintain a Water Safety Instructors Certification as well. The instructors are hand-picked from our men's and women's teams each year at VHS.

Swim lessons have been administered at VHS for over 40 years, teaching thousands of students how to swim in that time. In the spring of 2012, Valparaiso Community Schools could not continue to subsidize our swim academy's funding. We decided to work with them to start a new non-profit business called Valparaiso Swimming Inc.  In the winter of 2020, the state-of-the-art Valparaiso Aquatic Center connected to Valparaiso High School was opened.  With the new aquatic center's addition, Valparaiso Swimming Inc officially turned over the little vikes swim academy to be administered by the Valparaiso Aquatic Center staff.  Even though the business has changed hands, there have been very few changes, and the transition has been almost unnoticeable to the public as the same executive staff is in place since 1998.

We do not require parents to stay in the pool area while lessons are going on.  Many of our returning parents will drop off their students and return later. We allow parents to be in the aquatic center as long as they are not a distraction to the learning process.   If parents want to stick around but not be in the aquatic center watching lessons, there are multiple grassy areas and benches outside for parents to enjoy while their swimmer is in classes. 

Most importantly, students will need to bring a positive attitude and a smile.  Beyond that, a suit and a towel are required every day.  For girls, I would suggest a one-piece swimsuit, and most boys will wear swim trunks.  If your student has graduated into level 200, goggles may be needed.

Little Vikes Swim Academy and Valparaiso community schools take the safety of everyone entering the building and watching or participating in swim lessons very seriously.  While a lot has changed in the last few years, we want to mention that Masks are OPTIONAL in all Valparaiso Community School buildings. We also still have hand sanitizer stations and sanitizing wipes Throughout the Aquatic Center for general public use.