Welcome to Aqua Academy!
Water safety is a top priority in our community, and APRD is dedicated to ensuring the well-being and safety for everyone. Aqua Academy is a swim program designed by our aquatics staff with a unique approach that emphasizes fundamental skills and proper strike development. This new series of lessons is intended to teach strong technique, emphasizing quality of stroke over swimming distance, and promote confidence in swimmers.
The names of our classes have changed so please take a moment to read through the descriptions and skills so that you register your child up for the appropriate class. We are excited to have your join us at Aqua Academy!
If you have any questions regarding our Aqua Academy, please contact Krystal Ganz at [email protected].
Financial assistance information can be found here.
Winter Swim Lessons 2025
Registration begins Monday, December 16 for residents and Wednesday, December 30 for non-residents.*
*Registration dates were pushed back due to fall session’s delayed start because of mechanical issues.
CLASS A (Similar to Parent & Tot)
- 6 months to 3 years of age
- Parent and child water acclimation class with introduction to floats, glides, arm and leg action.
CLASS B (Similar to Aqua Tot)
- Ages 3+
Start of independent water acclimation and combination of assisted and unassisted swimming skills.
CLASS C (Advanced Aqua Tot Skills)
- Enter and exit pool unassisted
- Hold breath and submerge underwater
- Blow bubbles
- Float, glide, and kick on front and back with assistance
- Forward arm action
CLASS D (similar to SwimTot)
- Bob in shallow water
- Float on back and front unassisted
- Glide on front and back to vertical position
- Kick on back and front with equipment
- Front crawl arms
- Retrieve object from underwater
CLASS E (similar to Level 1)
- Independently jump into shallow water
- Bobs in shallow water
- Arm action for back crawl, treading water, and winging
- Glide on back and front
- Beginning front stroke
- Rolling over with support
CLASS F (similar to Level 2)
- Jump into moderate deep water with assistance
- Rhythmic breathing with equipment
- Front crawl, back crawl for 10 feet
- Swim underwater for 5 feet
- Winging arms with flutter kick for 5 feet
- Waving arm
- Rolling over from float or glide
CLASS G (similar to Level 3)
- Jump into deep water
- Retrieve object from bottom of shallow end
- Move from vertical to horizontal body position
- Front crawl, back crawl, and winging arms with flutter kick for 30 feet
CLASS H (similar to Level 4a)
- Jump off diving board
- Whip kick, combined elementary backstroke
- Butterfly kick
- Treading water for 1 minute
- Front and back crawls for 15 yards
CLASS I (similar to Level 4b)
- Sitting or kneeling shallow dive in deep water;
- Tread water for 2 minutes
- Deep water bobs
- Butterfly arms
- Breaststroke arms
- Breaststroke kick for 10 yards
- Front crawl, back crawl, and elementary backstroke for 25 yards
CLASS J (similar to Level 5/6)
- Standing shallow dive with glide and swimming
- Feet first and headfirst surface dives
- Tread water for 4 minutes
- Front crawl, back crawl and elementary backstroke for 25 yards
- Breaststroke for 15 yards
- Butterfly for 10 yards
Adaptive Aquatics
These lessons are for youth who have developmental disabilities. They focus on working towards individualized swimming goals.
Summer Swim Lessons 2025 at Mead Pool
Summer Swim Lessons 2025 at Erb Pool
Registration begins Wednesday, March 5 for residents and Wednesday, March 19 for non-residents
- All sessions of swim lessons are eight (8) classes.
- Swim lesson registration will be accepted either by mail, online, or walk-in at the Parks and Recreation Department for all lesson sessions until the registration deadline.
- Register Here!
- After each session deadline, you may register for the proceeding session only if there is space available and pay a $10 late fee. Registration after the deadline will only be accepted in person at the Customer Service Center at 1819 Witzke Blvd. – NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Registration is not accepted at any pool. Please do not show up at the pool expecting to be enrolled. If your child’s name is not on the roster, the pool staff will not allow them to participate in the class!
- If you plan to enroll in more than one session of swim lessons, we encourage you to register for the same level for the proceeding session. If the student passes to the next level during the initial session, please meet with the Swim Lesson Manager on the last Thursday of lessons or call the Appleton Parks and Recreation Department to move the student into the next level. Class level advancements are not automatic!
A Swim Lesson Manager will be onsite for all swim lessons.
Children in the Locker Room:
Children ages 6 and over are required to use their same gender locker room
Pool Temperature:
The pool temperature is maintained between 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Please note that Appleton Parks and Recreation does not control the water temperature at East or West Pools. If there is an issue with water temperature, please speak with the Swim Lesson Manager.
Inclement Weather Policy:
Swim lessons will take place during times of inclement weather. Indoor activities, such as safety day, will be taught indoors. Lessons will be canceled in instances of severe weather. Parents should check the cancelation line at 920-832-3900 and our social media pages for updates during inclement weather.
Refunds:
Refunds will be granted for swim lessons if the request is made to Appleton Parks and Recreation prior to the start of the session. Please call 920-832-5905 to start the process of your refund. A full credit will be applied back to your household account for use in future Parks and Recreation programs. Requests for refunds back to the original form of payment will be subject to a $10 processing fee for each participant and session.
Parent Viewing:
Parent viewing is allowed at the outdoor and indoor pools for all lessons. Parents or visitors are asked to remain seated in the designated parent viewing areas at all times and to not walk around the pool to take photos, etc. Parents are responsible for all children that are with them. Thank you for your cooperation.
Lockers:
Lockers are available at East, Erb and Mead Pools to secure your belongings. Please bring a lock for your locker or leave your valuables in your vehicle. Appleton Parks and Recreation is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Secured lockers are not available at West Pool.
Check out our specialty aquatics classes:
Diving Dynamics
- Students will work on diving essentials such as front approach, front dive, and back approach. There will be an emphasis on technique and safety.
Lifeguard Readiness
- Lifeguard Readiness will cover prerequisites and basic lifeguarding skills in and out of the water. Students must have passed Appleton Parks and Recreation Level 4a swim lessons or be at least 13 years old with the ability to swim front crawl and breaststroke. This is NOT a lifeguard certification class.
Champions in Training
- This dynamic class is designed for proficient swimmers looking to level up their skills and make a confident splash into the exciting world of swim teams
Aqua Fitness
- Check out our drop-in aqua fitness classes and experience the ultimate blend of fun and fitness!