The Lower School swimming program is more than just a lesson in strokes; it is a tradition that has thrived for more than 50 years and is a vital part of each Germantown Academy student’s development, instilling confidence and a love for the water. Catering to students from PreK through 8th Grade, the program recognizes the varying levels of ability and comfort in the water, especially among younger students.

Swimming classes began at GA in 1969. At the time, Head of School Samuel Stroud 1760 did not allow students in the pool until they were in fourth grade, so swim lessons for first, second, and third grade students were held in the afternoon and continued that way until 1974. Over time, those early classes evolved into 25-minute lessons for PreK students after school, and later became part of the physical education curriculum, with the core value remaining the same: teaching young people a life skill.

“By the time students at GA reach third, fourth, or fifth grade, they’re fairly strong in the water,” Director of Aquatics and Varsity Swim Coach Jeff Thompson said. “They may not be able to do all four competitive strokes, but they can swim the length of the pool.”

“We feel it has always been important to take advantage of the facilities that GA has to offer and to implement them into our Lower School curriculum,” Lower School Physical Education Teacher Dan Sullivan said. “Whether it’s biking in The Preserve, playing on the turf fields, or using the wellness room, these spaces play a huge role in our curriculum.”

The swim program continues to emphasize safety first. For PreK, Kindergarten, and first graders, platforms are placed in the pool to assist the youngest learners. Additionally, parents and Upper School students join the effort, providing support to help younger swimmers master basic skills like kicking and floating. The early focus is on getting students comfortable in the water by blowing bubbles, getting their faces wet, kicking their feet, and learning how to push on the water with their hands and feet.

“Each individual class spends six weeks in the swimming unit,” Lower School Physical Education Teacher Brooke Watson said. “Each homeroom meets with Jeff, along with Dan or me. PreK and Kindergarten have their six weeks in the spring because it gives our youngest students more time to grow, develop, and be more confident.”

In the early elementary grades, while students learn about freestyle, the emphasis is on backstroke, allowing children to keep their faces above water as they learn to float and kick. Once they are balanced and confident, arms are added to the mix. Students also learn the essential skill of treading water, and by the time they reach fourth and fifth grades, they are working on diving, breaststroke, fine-tuning their freestyle, and building stamina. Thompson also makes sure to give them time to play.

“Play is the best way for kids to get comfortable in the water,” Thompson said. “At the beginning of class, I tell them three things we’re going to do: be safe, have fun, and learn — in that order. We talk about how it’s important not to have fun before being safe, because sometimes having fun first means you’re not being safe.”

With safety as its cornerstone and an emphasis on fun, the program continues to grow, ensuring that each new generation of students leaves GA with the competence and confidence to thrive both in and out of the pool.