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Classes & Schedule

Littles

age 2 to 35 months
30 Min Class Class Ratio: 12:1 Class Ratio: 6:1 Class Ratio: 4:1 Adult Participation: Yes

Our “Littles” classes are 30 minutes long and structured as “parent and me”, with full or partial parent participation in the swimming pool, depending on the level. We offer swim classes for babies as young as 2 months old. Babies who are 2-5 months old can enroll in our “Bathtime Babies” class, where both parent and child enjoy one-on-one, uninterrupted time, and will learn water safety skills that help them be safe and comfortable during bathtime. Babies and toddlers who are 6 months+ progress into Level 1, where they will begin to build life skills using our unique “Jump, Turn, Swim” methodology which teaches children to turn around in the water and swim back to the edge to safety. Level 1 swimmers also learn how to go underwater for a full 10 seconds, which is the beginning of water safety. In Level 2, children begin to learn the basics of swimming and will end the level knowing how to kick 5 feet through the water to a destination and how to float on their backs.

Tots

age 3 years
30 Min Class Class Ratio: 4:1 Adult Participation: No

Children who are age 3 will enroll in one of our Tot-level swim classes. All 3 year-olds, even those without any prior swimming experience, will start in level 3, and then progress into levels 4 & 5. Parents don’t participate in the water during our tot-level swim classes. All Tot classes have a small class size and a 4:1 ratio. In our Tot levels classes, your child will learn how to kick up to 12 ft through the water, how to hold their breath underwater, and they will advance their “Jump, Turn, Swim” safety skills. You will be amazed at just how much your child will learn during a 30-minute class using our play-based approach that utilizes fun inflatable rings, toys, and fins.

Kids

age 4 + years
30 Min Class Class Ratio: 4:1 Adult Participation: No

Any child who is age 4+ and does not have prior swimming experience will start in level 6, where they will learn basic water safety skills and will quickly advance to learning how to hold their breath underwater, kick 15ft through the water unassisted, and how to float on their back. In levels 7-9, children will learn how to swim with freestyle arms and get side breaths while swimming. All Kids classes have a small class size and a 4:1 ratio, and are 30-minutes long.

Advanced

age 6 + years
1 Hour Class 30 Min Class Class Ratio 10:1 Class Ratio 4:1 Adult Participation: No

Our Advanced classes are for children ages 6+ who want to master the 4 strokes – freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke. In Levels 10 and 11, children will learn how to swim competitively, before graduating to our STEALTH swim team. As part of STEALTH swim team, your child will learn how to build their swimming speed, increase endurance, improve technique, and they will regularly compete in swim meets.

Semester Based

Emler Swim School of Dallas – Preston Forest operates on a semester basis: Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Secure your child’s spot for the entire semester by completing payment upon registration. This guarantees your child’s place for the entire semester and ensures consistency of instructor and students in the class. Below are our key details for the upcoming 2024 semester:

Spring: (18 weeks long) (1/22/2024 – 5/26/2024)
Registration is Closed. Semester has ended.
Summer: (14 weeks long) (5/27/2024- 9/1/2024)
Registration is Closed. Semester has ended.
Fall: (20 weeks long) (9/2/2024 -1/19/2025)
Registration is OPEN!

 

Additional Swimming Programs

There are even more ways to enjoy Emler Swim School! We offer additional programs outside of our regular lessons so the fun doesn’t have to stop.

Swim Camps

In the summer, we offer swim camps weekly for children to learn the basics of swimming in a fast-tracked daily program.

View Swim Camps
Private Lessons

We offer private lessons for children who benefit more from a one-on-one environment and/or to help master specific skills.

View Private Lessons
Swim Parties

Emler Swim School offers an amazing weatherproof venue where you can host pool parties year-round!

View Swim Parties

Meet Our Team

Leslie Fortenberry | General Manager

Hi, I’m Leslie! I was born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, CA, where most of my childhood memories revolve around beach days with family and friends. Our home pool was the heart of family gatherings, and pool parties were a huge hit! I began my journey with Emler at 17 while still in high school, and later, I moved to Waxahachie, TX for college at Nelson University. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, I continued growing with Emler as a manager. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working at 7 different Emler locations! When I’m not at work, you’ll probably find me at a cozy coffee shop, behind a camera lens, playing pickleball, or enjoying time with my spouse.

Email Leslie Fortenberry
What is the best part of working here everyday?

The best part of coming to work every day is the incredible Emler culture and the amazing people we get to welcome through our doors. One of our core values is simple but powerful: ‘We provide safety with a splash of love.’ Our mission is to save lives by teaching kids essential water safety skills, building their confidence as swimmers—all in a fun, engaging way. And that ‘splash of love’ isn’t just a saying; it’s how we approach everything we do. From our managers to our little swimmers, we bring joy, laughter, and passion to every lesson. When we say we love what we do, we mean it!

Share a childhood memory when you were brave and overcame fear.

As a child, I was always in the water, so much so that I got teased and nicknamed ‘little mermaid.’ While it sounds cute and fun now, I hated it back then. At one point, I even considered giving up swimming because of it. But my parents encouraged me to keep doing what I loved—and I’m so glad they did! If they hadn’t, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today, doing what I’m truly passionate about.

What favorite memory do you have from working here?

I have two favorites! One of my best memories was tossing a piñata in the air with some of my teammates—there’s never a dull moment with this crew! The second is getting in the water with a nervous 3-year-old who’s never swam before, and then seeing their face light up as they swim across the pool with a big smile. I’ve worked with countless students, but those 3-year-olds always steal my heart!

Share a childhood memory about your experience with swim lessons.

My grandmother’s love for the water sparked my own passion for swimming from a very young age. Some of my fondest memories are of us together at Santa Monica Beach in California, swimming in the ocean and enjoying the best snacks by the shore.

What do you believe makes you a great general manager?
I’m passionate about helping people grow! Whether it’s a manager, a teacher, or one of our kids, I love empowering them to become the best version of themselves.

What Parents are Saying About Emler Swim School of Preston Forest