Splash Swim School, Walnut Creek | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

My kid have attended this school for almost two years and I want to share my poor experiences at this school.

1. The rate keeps changing without informing you in advance.
We started while the rate was $88 per month with 25$ of yearly membership fee. Half a year later it was raised to $90 and then $94.
The monthly fee is deducted automatically from our credit card and you only knew the new rate from the new bill. No one will inform you in advance.

2. Pool issues happen without former notice.
This summer, we experienced 3 pool issues. We drove about 10 miles in afternoon traffic to the school only to know that they can not have classes on the day because of the pool issue. Things happen. This is understandable, but three times in one summer is really hard to understand. Moreover no one is compensating for the time and efforts spent in vain driving there with a disappointing kid.

3. No makeup classes are allowed.
No matter how early you try to inform them about your vacations or any other arrangement, no makeup is possible. Only when they had pool issue, they would offer a makeup, which means makeup is not always impossible, the only problem is the reason for the makeup.

4. The ribbons are extremely hard to get.
My friend’s boy used to hear the teacher told the supervisor that the boy was ready for his ribbon, but the supervisor replied: “OK, let him wait another week” without really looking at how the boy was doing. My kid used to have a very good teacher who she loved dearly, but after she left, everything hidden became intolerable. Parents share the same feelings that the school tried hard to delay the ribbon so as to keep the kids in their school as long as possible.

5. Time is quite limited.
30 mins class in water and after that no time for the kid to play or practice at school.

6. No feedback to parents.
This depends very much on the teacher. After my kid had the new teacher, we had no clue how she can improve any more. My kid got her last ribbon in summer and half a year is gone, she has not got her current ribbon yet. And the funny part is that, the teacher is not focusing on the practice of the current ribbon, instead she is teaching skills for the next ribbon already.

7. Poor office management.
We lost a big bow at school and when we went there the next day, we were informed that they got it and left it on the counter.
However, after they tried to contact the colleague who got the bow, we were informed that it was lost during the night when they were closed.
I was informed that it “strangely” disappeared the next morning when they came to the office.
The kid was thrilled when they told her that they got it, but she broke into tears when she knew that it was lost from the counter.
I hope all the documents with private information of kids and family would not be lost so strangely too.

I gave two stars because I wanted to thank the last loving teacher we had who helped in covering up problems this school had, but for the rest of it, we were really disappointed.
If you have any other choices, please don’t consider this swim school.

We have been longtime customers of Splash Walnut Creek, and both of my kids learned to swim there– safely and well. They both started their local swim team at 4yo! They won’t be breaking any records any time soon, lol, but they love the water, and as a mom that makes me happy. We still take weekly lessons at Splash to help make sure they learn the strokes right. Yes, it can be challenging to get the class schedules to match because the school is so busy. We have certainly spent some time on the waitlist through our time there, but we have always eventually been able to work out something for both kids that worked. I wish that it could have been a little easier, but I get it– there is only so much room in the pool.

We have loved some teachers, and others were fine, but I think that had to do with personality match more than anything. One thing I feel good about is that they all seem to be teaching the same thing, use the same names for things, etc. I think that is why Splash has worked so well for my kids and their friends.

I did raise a concern with my youngest recently, as he seemed to have stalled out on his progress. The staff assured me they were already on it and explained what they were working on specifically with him. They also had put in an extra teacher a few times in the weeks prior to help him and his class along. I had thought she was a trainee, but it turns out it was a senior teacher giving the kids some extra turns. Splash did this at no charge and without any of the parents asking. Pretty cool if you ask me, and also why I am giving them 5 stars.

My family and I have had a terrible experience at this swim school where we have been going for 3 years. I’ve got a 6 year old who has been at Splash since he was a toddler going weekly. He cannot swim on his own despite weekly classes. But the real kicker is the horrendous customer service and record keeping – my 3 year old has been at Splash for years and about one year ago we asked for private lessons and were told there are not spaces on the day we can come. Granted we have a limited availability but over the course of the past year I have seen multiple new people signed up for private lessons while I continue to be told there is not space – the real issue is their lack of organization and management. And I need to continue to ask as they are not proactive – if I don’t bring it up, no one calls or touches base on our request. I asked to speak with the owner and instead got a delayed call back from someone other than the owner with the same response – we will keep you in mind. This place has gone down hill and it’s embarrassing. I called back today and was told someone can call in a few days – today is Sunday – you would think I could get a call at least tomorrow. Anyways beware – you will spend a lot of money and your kids may not be water safe by the end of it!