Spartan Swim School
Spartan Swim School is a swim lesson program offered by Recreational Sports and Fitness Services. Our goal is to provide quality swim instruction in a positive aquatic environment while keeping the number of students assigned to each instructor low.
Classes are not designated by skill level. Instead, each class is adjusted to meet the needs of its participants, allowing family members and friends with different swimming abilities to participate during the same class time.
Class offerings follow the Michigan State University semester calendar, with sessions offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Location: IM Circle Pool
Registration: Online registration is the only method of enrollment. Phone, walk-in, and pre-registration are not accepted.
Make-Up Classes: Swim make-ups are not offered unless a class is canceled due to weather or a pool closure.
Class Schedule, Fees & Registration
Fall Semester 2026
Registration for all classes opens at 10 a.m. on August 17.
Registration for Spartan Swim School is completed online through the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services membership portal.
Register for Spartan Swim School
Youth Swim Classes
This program is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 14 years. Beginning swimmers will be taught fundamental water safety and aquatic skills, including orientation to the aquatic environment, basic aquatic skills, rudimentary propulsive skills, and becoming comfortable around water.
As children progress through classes, they will have opportunities to develop, practice, and refine swimming skills in a positive water environment. Skill development includes stroke development, stroke improvement, and stroke refinement.
Classes are 30 minutes long and meet once per week for the duration of the session.
Schedule
Classes begin the week of September 14 and end the week of October 19.
Location: IM Circle Pool
| Day | Class Times |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 5:10–5:40 p.m. 5:50–6:20 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 4:30–5 p.m. 5:10–5:40 p.m. 5:50–6:20 p.m. |
| Thursday | 5:10–5:40 p.m. 5:50–6:20 p.m. |
Fee: $60
Note: Please do not register for consecutive classes.
Register for Youth Swim Classes
Adult Swim Classes
This program is designed for adults who want to develop, practice, or refine their swimming skills in a positive water environment.
Instruction focuses on introduction to water skills, fundamental aquatic skills, stroke development, stroke improvement, and stroke refinement.
Classes are 35 minutes long and meet once per week for the duration of the session.
Schedule
Classes begin the week of September 14 and end the week of October 19.
Location: IM Circle Pool
| Day | Class Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30–7:10 p.m. |
| Thursday | 6:30–7:10 p.m. |
Fee: $75
Note: Please do not register for consecutive classes.
Participant Handbook
Program Overview
Spartan Swim School is a swim lesson program offered by Recreational Sports and Fitness Services. Class sizes are limited to approximately 14–15 students. Our goal is to keep the number of students assigned to an instructor low to provide quality swim lessons and support accelerated learning.
Classes are not designated by skill level. Each class is adjusted to meet the needs of the participants, allowing family members and friends with different skill levels to participate during the same class time.
Class offerings follow the Michigan State University semester calendar:
- Fall Semester: Begins in September
- Spring Semester: Begins in January
- Summer Semester: Begins in June
Youth Program
The youth program is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 14. Children are taught fundamental water safety and aquatic skills.
Skills may include:
- Orientation to the aquatic environment
- Basic aquatic skills
- Development of rudimentary propulsive skills
- Becoming comfortable around water
- Developing, practicing, and refining swimming skills in a positive aquatic environment
Skill Development
- Introduction to water skills
- Fundamental aquatic skills
- Stroke development
- Stroke improvement
- Stroke refinement
Facility Information
All Spartan Swim School classes are held at IM Circle Pool.
Entrance for Swim School is located on the ground floor through the front of the building. Swim School participants are limited to the pool area, balcony, and locker rooms.
Swim lesson teaching equipment is provided by Spartan Swim School staff. Personal teaching equipment is not permitted.
The pool facility has male and female locker rooms. Access to a family locker room is available upon request.
If you require special accommodations, please contact the Swim Coordinator.
Class Overview
Swim lessons are taught by Swim School instructors. Parents do not actively participate in the swim lesson.
Swim instructors are supervised by the Swim Coordinator. The Swim Coordinator assigns students to instructors and supervises the pool deck.
A lifeguard is assigned to every class to support water safety.
The Spartan Swim School program is overseen by Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Aquatics leadership.
Program Procedures & Rules
- Parents are required to remain in the pool area while the swim lesson is taking place.
- Parents may request use of a private changing area through the family locker room.
- Swim School participants and parents are expected to follow directions provided by Swim School staff.
- Participants and parents must follow all Michigan State University regulations and may be removed from the program for violations.
- Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, fireworks, guns, and other weapons are prohibited.
- Violence of any kind toward participants or staff will not be tolerated.
- Sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and other sexually inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.
- Harassment in violation of University policy will not be tolerated.
- Hazing and bullying, including physical, verbal, and cyber-bullying, will not be tolerated.
- Cameras and other digital recording devices are prohibited in showers, locker rooms, restrooms, and other areas where privacy is expected.
- Theft of property is prohibited.
- Misuse or damage of University property is prohibited. Participants may be financially responsible for damage or misuse of University property.
Program procedure or rule violations should be reported to Spartan Swim School staff. Violations may result in removal from the Spartan Swim School program.
Parking & Special Events
Parking
The parking lot used for Spartan Swim School is Lot 62W.
A row of metered parking spaces is also available to visitors along Circle Drive.
Visitors may purchase a two-hour Visitor Parking Permit through the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. Visitor permits allow parking in eligible faculty/staff parking areas.
Please pay close attention to posted parking restrictions. Do not park in spaces designated as leased, reserved for University or service vehicles, or spaces requiring specific faculty/staff permits 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
MSU Department of Police and Public Safety →
Special Event Parking
Parking availability may be affected by major events occurring near IM Circle Pool.
Recreational Sports and Fitness Services does not control special-event parking, availability, or event parking rates.
Parking near Jenison Field House and the Breslin Center may be limited during special events and event parking fees may apply.
Before attending a Swim School class, families are encouraged to check the Spartan Athletics calendar for events that may affect nearby parking.
Refund Policy
Class Refunds
Participants may request a refund for a class through the DSE registration portal up to the day the class begins.
Contact Spartan Swim School
Questions or Assistance
For questions about Spartan Swim School, registration, accommodations, or program information, please contact the Swim School team.
Email: SpartanSwimSchool@msu.edu
Office hours vary. Inquiries will be returned as soon as possible.