Parent Information
Swim Schools International grew out of the passion of a few avid aquatic professionals in both the swimming and scuba diving worlds. They were intent on creating a worldwide, standardized program for swim instruction, open to anyone that wanted to better their abilities and level of swim instruction in their facilities.
Swim Schools International provides education materials, swim teacher training and certification for Swim Teachers, Trainers, and Aquatic Training Facilities around the world. SSI stands as the paradigm for swim teacher certification worldwide. Our training initiatives and certification requirements ensure that our certified teachers are capable of meeting the needs and abilities of swimmers of all ages - from 6 months old all the way through adulthood.
You're ready for you or your little ones to learn to swim, but how can you be sure the person that will teach them knows what they're doing? That's where Swim Schools International steps in and shows the way: using standards-based training systems to train and certify Swim Teachers.
Standards
Swim Schools International (or SSI) bases their training program for swim teachers on a set of Training Standards, which begin with ethical standards, and move toward specifics of teaching. Each class level has standards for how it should be taught, each Swim Teacher Certification has standards for how it should be taught, and Swim Centers have standards that maintain quality from one Swim Center to another. Simply put, using standards means peace of mind for you.
Teacher Certifications
SSI has years of experience developing and implementing certifications, with over 40 years in the realm of Scuba Diver certifications. SSI ported over the strong underpinnings of that certification process and applied it to swim teaching to create the most prepared and capable swim teachers in the world. Teachers undergo a home study program, classroom training and pool training to learn the specific skills properly. In order to focus their training on the correct group of students, each certification level requires hands-on apprenticeship time under another certified SSI Swim Teacher. SAFETY and CONSISTENCY for your swimmers are the names of the game here. Using this apprenticeship requirement means that every certified Swim Schools International Swim Teacher has experience with another before beginning to teach their own students on their own.
Lesson Plans
The Swim Schools International standardized lesson plan, known as the Gold Script, allows individual Swim Centers to choose between semesters, sessions, or open enrollment without impact to the progression of the swimmer. Classes are tailored to the individual swimmer based on ability, not on a timeframe for completion. If your swimmer is ready to move up to the next level, the lesson plan flexibility allows for that to occur on an individualized basis, instead of waiting for the entire class to reach the final goals for the level.
Classes
Level 1 classes are set to a maximum 4:1 student:teacher ratio, so swimmers get individualized attention while learning skills. Typically classes are scheduled to be held once a week, for a minimum 30 minutes per lesson. Swim Centers are free to set their own scheduling, however, so your school may offer a different plan. Contact an SSI Swim Center near you to find out more about how they schedule their classes and what openings they have available for you.
Baby & Me classes are often 45 minutes in length, allowing extra time for entry & exit from the water, as well as bonding time for parents and children in the water.
Level 2 classes are primarily 45 minutes in length and are a larger swimmer:teacher ratio. Junior Olympian classes are often 1 hour in length to allow for the longer distances and full workout schedules for the swimmers, allowing for proper warm-up and cool-down periods for exercise to minimize impact on the body.
Advancement
What would education be without graduation? Swim Schools International Swim Centers have the option of giving out Advancement Medallions upon completion of each level. Just like belts for Karate or patches from boy and girl scouts, these medallions are a durable, waterproof way for your swimmer to show their level of completion.
