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Emler Swim Levels

At Emler Swim School, we want learning to swim to be one of your child’s fondest memories. We begin swimming lessons for babies as young as 2 months old and go all the way up to competitive swim teams for children ages 6+. Enroll your child today and let the fun begin!

Each level is part of our proven curriculum, designed to match your child’s age, ability, and confidence. Choose the best fit to start your swimmer’s journey. *Exact classes may vary by location.

How Class Levels Work

We’ve developed 11 class levels with 100+ age-appropriate milestones, so every child has a clear, encouraging path forward. Each level builds real safety and skills through proven teaching methods, using songs, games, and guided practice, so kids stay engaged and make steady progress.

What's your level?

Use our specialized assessment tool to determine what swim lessons level your child should be enrolled in.

Don’t worry, it’s quick!

Littles

Age: 2-35 Months

 Adult Participation: Yes

Class Ratio: 6:1*

 Class Length: 30 mins

Our Littles program offers three levels designed to grow with your child, starting from their very first splashes to building real water safety skills. Explore Bathtime Babies, Level 1, and Level 2 below to see what’s right for your little swimmer.

Ages: 2-5 Months

Bond with your baby as you enjoy one-on-one pool time while you both learn water safety skills to make bathtime feel more like playtime! Your baby will learn how to pick their head up if they end up face down in the bath and you’ll learn how to use bathtime at home to make your baby feel more comfortable around water all while having fun.

Prerequisites:

None

Ages: 6-35 Months

Babies and toddlers who are 6 months+ progress into Level 1, where they will begin to learn 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 and swimming.

Prerequisites:

None

Ages: 24-35 Months

Your child will begin learning more advanced swimming skills such as consistent kicking and independent rescue. By the end of this class, they will be able to kick through the water twice as far as they were able to at the beginning (from 5 feet to 10 feet).

Prerequisites:

None

Tots

Age: 3 Years

 Adult Participation: No

Class Ratio: 4:1*

Class Length: 30 minutes

Our Tots program is designed just for 3-year-olds, with classes tailored to their age and ability. From Level 3 through Levels 4 and 5, each step builds independence, safety skills, and confidence in the water. Parents cheer from the sidelines while kids learn through fun, play-based instruction.

Kids learn how to kick 5 feet through the water, how to hold their breath for 10 seconds, our “Jump, Turn, Swim” method, and will be introduced to back floating.

Prerequisites:

None

Our intermediate class teaches children how to kick 12 feet through the water, become more comfortable with backfloating, advance their “Jump, Turn, Swim” safety skills, and begin learning to roll over to breathe on their back.

Prerequisites:

Kick 5ft through water
10 second breath control
Basic comfort with floating

Children will leave this class learning how to kick 20 feet through the water, mastering their ability to roll onto their back to breathe, working on breathing as they swim on their stomachs, and becoming independent backfloating.

Prerequisites:

Kick 12ft through water
Comfortable with backfloat

Kids

Age: 4+ Years

 Adult Participation: No

Class Ratio: 4:1*

 Class Length: 30 mins

Our Kids program is built for swimmers ages 4 and up, with small class sizes and levels tailored to their experience. From Level 6 through Levels 7 to 9, children build safety skills, master breath control, and begin learning strokes like freestyle with side breathing. Parents watch proudly from the sidelines as their kids gain strength, confidence, and independence in the water.

No prerequisites are required for this class, making it an ideal starting point. Children will acquire skills such as kicking for a distance of 15 feet, holding their breath for 10 seconds, familiarizing themselves with our “Jump, Turn, Swim” safety method, and initiating the learning of backfloat and freestyle arms.

Prerequisites:

None

In this class, children will independently master swimming with freestyle arms for a distance of 20 feet. They will also progress in refining their “Jump, Turn, Swim” safety skills while perfecting front and rollover breath techniques.

Prerequisites:

Kick 15ft through water
10 second breath control
Comfort with floating on back and front

This class focuses on skill advancement. By completing Level 8, your child will have acquired the ability to swim with freestyle arms and perform elementary backstroke for a distance of 30 feet. Additionally, they will commence learning essential techniques such as treading water and incorporating side breaths while swimming.

Prerequisites:

Freestyle swim 20ft independently
Independent front and rollover breath

In this advanced class designed for 5-year-olds and older, participants will master swimming competitive freestyle and backstroke across the entire width of the pool.

Prerequisites:

Freestyle swim 30ft independently with rhythmic side breathing

Advanced

Age: 6+ Years

 Adult Participation: No

Class Ratio: 4:1*

Class Length: 30 minutes

Our Advanced program is designed for swimmers ages 6 and up who are ready to refine their skills and build endurance. In Levels 10 and 11, children master all four strokes, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, while learning the basics of competitive swimming. Graduates advance to our STEALTH swim team, where they focus on speed, technique, and regular swim meets.

Children will master freestyle and backstroke, and will begin to learn the butterfly stroke.

Prerequisites:

Able to swim competitive freestyle & backstroke

Children will continue advancing their skills, mastering butterfly and learning breaststroke. This is the last level before your child is ready to join our swim team!

Prerequisites:

Mastered freestyle & backstroke
Able to swim butterfly

As part of our STEALTH Swim Team, your child will build their swimming speed, endurance, and technique, and will regularly compete in meets with other local Emler schools.

Prerequisites:

Able to swim all 4 strokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke)

Please note: Class availability and size may vary by location.

Swimming Lessons for All Ages at Emler Swim School

At Emler Swim School, we offer group swimming lessons for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kids of all ages. Our proven curriculum helps children build water safety skills, develop swimming technique, and gain confidence in the water while having fun. With small class sizes and certified instructors, every child gets the guidance they need to thrive.

Progressive Swim Levels That Ensure Success

Our program is structured into 11 progressive levels, each designed around key milestones. From the earliest stages of water acclimation to mastering advanced strokes, every level provides the right balance of safety, skill-building, and encouragement. This step-by-step approach makes sure your child is always placed in the class that best fits their ability and learning pace.

At Emler, our goal is simple: to help every child learn to swim with confidence, one level at a time.

Emler Swim Levels

How Class Levels Work

What's your level?

Littles

Tots

Kids

Advanced

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