Every Swimmer Starts Somewhere. Find the Right Level.

Every child learns differently, and we’re here to help them succeed. From first splashes to advanced stroke development, our progressive swim program builds confidence, safety, and skills at every stage.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 300+ Nashville Families Trust NSA

Three Stages. One Lifelong Love for the Water.

Every child progresses through three carefully designed stages that build confidence, teach water safety, and develop lifelong swimming skills.

STAGE 1

FUNdamentals

Building Confidence

4 Months – 6 Years

  • Parent & Me
    Water exploration through parent participation
  • Terrific 2s
    Comfort, confidence, and independent movement
  • Beginner 3s
    First strokes and foundational swimming skills
  • Beginner 4-6s

Explore Stage

STAGE 2

SAFEty

Building Safer Swimmers

3 – 11 Years

  • Skill Builder 3s
    Independent swimming & assisted breaths
  • Skill Builder 4-6s
    Develop swim-breathe-swim patterns
  • Skill Builder 7-11s
    Develop breath control & confidence

Explore Stage

STAGE 3

TECHnique

Stroke Development

4 – 12 Years

  • Swimmer 4-6s
    Swimming & breathing independently
  • Stroke Tech 1
    Freestyle & backstroke
  • Stroke Tech 2
    Breaststroke & butterfly fundamentals
  • Stroke Technique 3
    Stroke refinement & endurance

Explore Stage

Stage 1 • FUNdamentals

Building Confidence

At NSA, we believe that the amazing journey of learning how to swim starts with the FUNdamentals. These beginner classes are devoted to putting the “FUN” in FUNdamentals as we develop a swimming foundation that leads to comfort and safety in the water. By focusing on key skills like buoyancy, breath control, and calm movement, we set the stage for a lifetime of joy and success in the water.

PARENT & ME classes are designed for our youngest swimmers and empower parents to actively engage in their child’s aquatic journey. With an emphasis on safety, sensory exploration, and foundational skill-building, these lessons foster developmental growth while putting the “FUN” in the FUNdamentals of swimming.

FUNdamental Goals:
~Build comfort and trust in the water through playful, sensory-rich activities
~Support the development of balance and buoyancy, leading to calm and safe floating
~Introduce simple propulsion skills to promote coordination and gross motor development
~Practice verbal cues for water entry and exit, promoting safety and growth

1 Caretaker per 1 Child
Student / Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Class Length: 30-Minutes
Happy Nappy* required

TERRIFIC 2s is the perfect next step for graduates of Parent & Me classes or as a starting point for 2-year-olds ready to begin their swimming journey. Designed for little ones developing independence, it supports their growing confidence and self-reliance in the water.

These semi-private lessons (2 children per class) provide individual attention and the opportunity for positive peer interaction, fostering social-emotional growth and skill development in a supportive environment without direct parent involvement.

FUNdamental Goals:
~Encourage comfort in the water and confidence in submerging, building trust and security
~Support the development of balance and buoyancy, leading to calm and safe floating
~Foster basic propulsion skills to enhance coordination and body awareness
~Practice safe water entry and exit to foster independence and build confidence in movement

Student / Teacher Ratio: 2:1
Class Length: 30-Minutes
Happy Nappy* required

BEGINNER classes are designed for 3-year-olds who are new to swimming and have little to no experience going underwater. These classes focus on building trust, comfort, and FUNdemental skills in a supportive environment, helping young swimmers gain confidence as they take their first steps into independent water exploration.

This class is for 3 year olds who: 
1) Do not swim comfortably without a floatation device
2) Cannot go underwater without getting water in their noses or mouths
3) Haven’t had a positive experience with swimming yet and need to ease into this fun process 

FUNdamental Goals:
~Foster comfort in the water and build confidence in independent submersion
~Support balance and buoyancy development to encourage calm floating and water safety
~Encourage basic propulsion skills to develop coordination and purposeful movement.
~Practice safe water entry and exit techniques

Student / Teacher Ratio: 3:1
Class Length: 30-Minutes
Happy Nappy* required

BEGINNER classes are designed for kids who are new to swimming or still gaining confidence in going underwater. These classes emphasize foundational skills, body coordination, and water safety, while fostering independence and building the confidence needed for a lifetime of aquatic adventures.

This class is for 4-6 year olds who: 
1) Do not swim comfortably without a floatation device
2) Cannot go underwater without getting water in their noses or mouths
3) Haven’t had a positive experience with swimming yet and need to ease into this fun process  

FUNdamental Goals:
~Support comfort in the water and build confidence in safely exploring the underwater world
~Cultivate balance and buoyancy to support essential water safety skills
~Expand coordination to enhance propulsion skills and a deeper connection to body movement
~Practice safe water entry and exit techniques

Student / Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Class Length: 35-Minutes

View FUNdamentals Classes

Stage 2 • SAFEty

Building Safer Swimmers

Once children develop their FUNdamental swimming skills, we focus on essential SAFEty skills. These classes strengthen  water awareness, safe decision-making,, and confidence in independent movement. By practicing  floating, gliding, propulsion, and quick responses, swimmers develop the split-second decision-making skills needed to navigate a variety of aquatic situations with greater confidence.

SKILL BUILDER classes focus on skills that will lead to greater confidence, comfort, strength, mobility, and SAFEty in the water. 3 year olds in this class must be able to successfully submerge (go underwater comfortably) and demonstrate horizontal kicking that leads to forward progress.

SAFEty Goals:
~Push off from the side into front and back horizontal positions to build balance
~Refine independent jumps into the water and identify ‘safe spots’ to swim to
~Develop propulsion through coordinated kicking and eventually big arm movements
~Practice swim-breathe-swim patterns to build rhythm and safety skills

Student / Teacher Ratio: 3:1
Class Length: 30-Minutes
Happy Nappy* required

SKILL BUILDER classes focus on skills that will lead to greater confidence, comfort, strength, and mobility, and SAFEty in the water. 4-6 year olds in this class must be able to successfully submerge (go underwater comfortably) and demonstrate horizontal kicking that leads to forward progress.

SAFEty Goals:
~Push off from the side into front and back horizontal positions to build balance
~Refine independent jumps into the water and identify ‘safe spots’ to swim to
~Develop propulsion through coordinated kicking and eventually big arm movements
~Practice swim-breathe-swim patterns to build rhythm and safety skills

Student / Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Class Length: 35-Minutes

SKILL BUILDER classes are an entry point for 7-11 year olds who lack confidence with swimming, who: 
1) Haven’t ever been swimming without floatation devices
2) Cannot go underwater without getting water in their noses or mouths
3) Haven’t had a positive experience with swimming yet and need to ease into this fun process

SAFEty Goals:
~Develop breath control to build confidence and comfort in submerging underwater
~Achieve balance on the surface for effortless floating and smooth gliding
~Transition between front and back horizontal body position to improve control and movement
~Practice swim-breathe-swim patterns to build rhythm and safety skills

Instructors will focus on blending FUNdamentals and SAFEty to channel each child’s natural drive for independence into a confidence-building asset as they start to develop a positive relationship with the water.

Student / Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Class Length: 35-Minutes

View SAFEty Classes

Stage 3 • TECHnique

Stroke Development

Once swimmers have developed their FUNdamental skills and built confidence in water SAFEty, we expand  our focus to refining strokes and enhancing technique.  Swimmers learn the four competitive strokes, building a lifelong skill set that can open the door to summer leagues, school swim teams, competitive swimming, and fitness well into adulthood. These skills make a lifetime of aquatic adventures possible—and we’ve never met anyone who wished they hadn’t learned to swim!

SWIMMER 4-6 kids are putting together all the elements of swimming, breathing, and going back to swimming with smooth movements. Swimmers will build coordination of their arms and legs, enabling them to make quick, effective safety decisions in the water.

Class Requirements: 
~Comfortable with the transition from swimming to resting and breathing 
~Able to push from the side into a horizontal position with a consistent, productive kick 
~Able to swim using arms and kicking legs on the surface of the water

TECHnique Goals:
~Develop back and front push-offs and glides, leading to balanced leg and arm motions
~Refine rotation between front and back swimming for core strength and body control
~Build endurance and confidence as movements become more fluid and efficient
~Practice quick decision-making for navigating obstacles, breathing, and swimming to safety

SWIMMER / COACH RATIO: 4:1
PRACTICE LENGTH: 35-MINUTES

STROKE TECH 1 is the introductory level of our Stroke Technique groups. This group is for swimmers 6 years and older who are comfortable in deeper water and ready to begin developing more refined swimming skills. Swimmers should have a basic understanding of freestyle and backstroke.

TECHnique Goals:
~Practice push-offs from the side into back and front streamlined positions for efficiency
~Develop side-breathing skills to build endurance and rhythm in freestyle
~Refine backstroke fundamentals to improve coordination, technique, and body control
~Introduce elements of breaststroke and butterfly to expand stroke versatility
~Build confidence with diving skills for safe and optimal water entry

SWIMMER / COACH RATIO: 6:1
PRACTICE LENGTH: 35-MINUTES

STROKE TECH 2 is the second level in our Stroke Technique groups. Swimmers joining this group should be able to breathe to the side while swimming freestyle, swim legal and horizontal backstroke for at least 15 yards, and have a basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly.

TECHnique Goals:
~Develop underwater push-off from the side into back and front streamlined positions
~Establish proper breaststroke and butterfly kick, supported by targeted drills
~Learn the fundamentals of using the pace clock for training
~Practice circle swimming and lane etiquette to ensure smooth group swimming
~Practice standing diving skills for confidence with starts

SWIMMER / COACH RATIO: 12:1
PRACTICE LENGTH: 35-MINUTES, 
TWICE PER WEEK

STROKE TECH 3 is the highest level in our Technique groups, designed for swimmers who have developed proficiency in freestyle and backstroke for 25 yards and have a solid understanding of the basic elements of breaststroke and butterfly. This group focuses on refining technique, building strength, and using swimming as a comprehensive form of exercise. 

TECHnique Goals:
~Develop timing for breath in butterfly and breaststroke
~Learn racing dives leading into underwater dolphin kick
~Practice underwater breaststroke pull-outs that transition into smooth breaststroke
~Establish a legal 100 I.M. with proper transitions and stroke techniques
~Refine flip turns for improved speed and efficiency

SWIMMER / COACH RATIO: 12:1
PRACTICE LENGTH: 35-MINUTES,
TWICE PER WEEK

View TECHnique Classes

Find Your Child’s Perfect Class

Trusted by Hundreds of Nashville Families

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5.0 Google Rating • 300+ Five-Star Reviews

See why hundreds of Nashville families trust Nashville Swim Academy to help their children become safe, confident swimmers.

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    If I could give more than five stars, I absolutely would! From the moment we walked in, the facilities blew me away—super clean, warm, and kid-friendly in every way. The teachers balance fun, patience, and pure skill like Olympic-level pros. My kids have made incredible progress and look forward to every lesson.
    NSA Parent
    Verified Google Review

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Magic… this place is pure magic! From the owner and facility to the incredibly talented teachers, I don’t have a single bad thing to say. The progress my kids have made in such a short time is unbelievable. We genuinely feel like we’re giving our children one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Worth every penny.
    NSA Parent
    Verified Google Review

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Nashville Swim Academy has exceeded every expectation! The facility is beautiful, clean, and incredibly welcoming, but what truly sets it apart is the caring team. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and genuinely invested in every swimmer’s success. Our family couldn’t recommend Nashville Swim Academy more!
    NSA Parent
    Verified Google Review

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    “As a grandmother watching my granddaughter learn to swim, I couldn’t be more impressed. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and genuinely care about every child. Watching her confidence grow has been such a joy. We are so grateful to have found Nashville Swim Academy.”
    Proud Grandmother
    Verified Google Review
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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your first lesson. If you don’t see your question here, our team is happy to help.

Use our Class Finder for a recommendation, or contact our team. We’ll help determine the best fit based on your child’s age, comfort in the water, and current swimming skills.

Choose the level that best matches their current skills. Our instructors continually evaluate progress and can recommend a move when your swimmer is ready.

Yes! Swimmers move up as soon as they demonstrate the skills and confidence needed for the next level. Classes often progress together, while instructors tailor each lesson to keep every child challenged and moving forward.

That’s completely normal. Our instructors use patience, encouragement, and gradual skill-building to help children feel safe and successful.

Parents are welcome to watch from the designated viewing area. Parent participation is required only for Parent & Me classes.

Please bring a swimsuit, towel, and goggles if your child is comfortable wearing them. All children under age 4 must wear a Happy Nappy—even if potty trained—to help prevent accidents in the pool. Forgot something? Our Pro Shop carries all the swim essentials your child may need.

However You Join Us, You’re Family.

Whether you’re looking for swim lessons for your child or a career that makes a difference every day, we’d love to welcome you to Nashville Swim Academy.

Ready to Start Your Child’s Swimming Journey?

Discover swim lessons that build confidence, water safety, and a lifelong love of the water.

  • FUNdamentals
  • SAFEty
  • TECHnique
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Every lesson helps children become safer, more confident swimmers while building skills they’ll use for life.

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