Testimonials

We enrolled our two boys at Goldfish Swim School recently after a great trial lesson. One of my sons has specialized learning and sensory needs, and finding a program that could effectively support unique developmental challenges was our top priority. Before enrolling, we asked if they had experience in this area and were told they did. Our trial went very well—everyone was kind, patient, and welcoming. The facility was clean and fun. Initially, both boys loved their weekly lessons. As time went on, however, my son began developing severe anxiety around the water. Each lesson became progressively harder until he was fearful of entering the pool. I want to emphasize that the instructors and lifeguards were always friendly, encouraging, and genuinely cared. My concern isn't with their kindness; rather, I don't believe they had the specialized training or behavioral techniques required to help a child work through those specific anxieties successfully. At a recent lesson, my son cried the entire class. Feeling it was no longer in his best interest to put him through that stress, I asked to withdraw him. I was told that without a 30-day notice, I would still be responsible for the next month's payment. This was difficult to hear because unique developmental challenges don't give a 30-day notice. We could not predict he would develop this fear. I asked to transfer his remaining classes to his brother. The only option offered was to mark him absent each week, convert the misses to tokens, and use them for his brother. While grateful for the workaround, it made me wonder what families with only one child would do. They would be forced to pay for lessons their child can no longer attend due to unforeseen circumstances. My disappointment stems entirely from corporate inflexibility and a lack of accommodation when a child's specialized needs change. Because of how poorly it was handled, I have decided to withdraw both of my children.

- C M.

July 5, 2026