Goldfish Swim School – Ashburn, Ashburn | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

I am extremely disappointed in this swim school. My son has only participated in 3 classes and we are already unenrolling him due to failure of staff to communicate “long standing policies that we are now enforcing.” During our trial class, I was excited to see that parents who are not getting in the water with their young children could still sit out on the pool deck and “participate” from there. I am not a good swimmer (part of the reason we enrolled him in swim classes) so I was happy to have dad get in the water while I sat right there. We were never told this wasn’t allowed. Specifically, we were told that the parent not getting in the water could sit out in the viewing area or sit inside on the pool deck. I have sat out there for 2 of his classes without any issue. During his first class, staff even came up to me while I was sitting there and gave me his welcome certificate.

Half way through his third class today, a staff member comes up to me and tells me the “general manager doesn’t want people sitting out on the pool deck.” I ask why because we were never told about this before. She says it’s been “long standing policy that the GM is now enforcing.” Mind you, there were people sitting out on the pool deck when we got there before my son’s class started. I exited the pool deck and immediately unenrolled him. I was told my the desk staff member that it is for safety. I understand the safety measure. But, if this was a long standing policy, it’s something we should have been told before enrolling our son. It feels like a cash grab when we are told of a “benefit” just to be told by the 3rd class that actually it’s against policy. We would have not enrolled him had we known. It is also unfair that we are forced to abide by their 30 day cancellation policy when they have 0 day notice of this “enforcement” of policy. We have no intention of bringing him back.

Only reason I am giving two stars is because my son genuinely enjoyed the classes. Though, there isn’t much teaching going on at that age range.

Goldfish is the ONLY swim school in NOVA that mandates a lifeguard is always on duty during lessons. This is big as my kids who are learning to swim are likely to jump into the water at any time they are not supposed to. Additionally The swimming lessons are always delivered in a top quality manner in a top quality pool in a top quality environment. Here are the reasons everyone should chose this swim school as the swim school of choice for your kids:

1. Safety first: lifeguard always on duty. Though all the swimming instructors are also trained as lifeguards having that lifeguard on the deck solely watching the safety of the swimmers matters.
2. Small group lessons of 4 students in a class is great for individual attention. Your kid won’t ever wait long for his/her turn. With easy to understand lesson objectives you will understand exactly what is being worked on and why and what is the next step. Also as needed of course Private and Semi-Private lessons are available.
3. The water is warm very warm. At 90 degrees Your kid will not hesitate getting in the water because it’s too cold like other places.
4. Deck air temperature is also warm so your child won’t freeze getting out.
5. Seating area is perfect for parents and guardians as you are close enough to see from off the deck but not so close as to catch the constant eye of your child.
6. With many showers to rinse off and many private changing areas you will never have to get ready at home or have to dry off only to shower again at home. This set-up saves your family time and by doing so fits these important swimming lessons into your family schedule.
———Go ahead and give GoldFish in Ashburn a month and I guarantee you will be taking your kids there for years to come. As a long time lifeguard instructor and swimmer myself this facility and its entire operation are 5 stars all the way.