Frequently Asked Questions & Pricing Information

I teach ISR lessons at multiple locations in the area. Alvin, TX I teach at a private home pool in the Hillcrest Village neighborhood in Alvin, TX. The pool is a heated outdoor pool with a full screen enclosure, traditional chlorine sanitation system. Pearland, TX I teach at Coastal Swim Academy on Dixie Farm Rd. in Pearland, TX. The facility is an indoor heated pool with changing rooms, showers, and more, with a UV water purification system and advanced air filtration. Alvin - Pearland - Friendswood I am open to teaching travel lesson in your home pool. These lessons are typically limited to summer sessions and will have an additional travel fee in addition to tuition. Minimum number of students additional home requirements may be required. Please email me if you are interested in this option.

Lessons are 10 minutes per day, five days a week (Monday through Friday), for approximately six weeks. Lesson length can vary depending on the child. Consistency is crucial, so is daily attendance for optimal progress.

All lessons are always one-on-one, between the instructor and the child, while the parent/caregiver sits poolside. ISR does not offer group lessons.

I am happy to teach your child at any time! Here are some things to consider in respect to seasons: Spring/Summer: We know many parents consider swim lessons in the warmer months, and that is certainly ok! While it is most ideal to keep your little one out of the pool while they are in lessons, I can certainly help you navigate some “dos” & “don’t’s” to help keep confusion at bay with your child. (Many times pool play can be opposite to what they are learning in lessons.) At the end of the course you will get in the pool with me and your child so that you can be shown how to practice and play with your little one without compromising their self-rescue skills. Fall/Winter: We encourage families to consider lessons in the "off season" to arm their child with aquatic skills BEFORE pools open for the summer, since lessons can last anywhere from 4-8 weeks, depending on the child. Most importantly, regardless of what season your child learns in, continuation of maintenance lessons will be recommended.

Parents don’t typically need to get in the water the first few weeks of lessons. I do require that a parent get in the pool a couple times during the last weeks of lessons to ensure you are comfortable swimming with your child using their new skill.

Short answer: no. In September 2018, the American College of Emergency Physicians declared that terminology such as “dry drowning,” “wet drowning,” “near drowning,” “secondary drowning,” and “delayed drowning,” should no longer be used. There are three medically recognized types of drowning: (1) fatal, (2) nonfatal with injuries, and (3) nonfatal without injuries. Unfortunately the outdated terms are continuously sensationalized and used by the media. Drowning does not happen days to a week after being in water. There are no medically accepted conditions known as ‘near-drowning,’ ‘dry drowning’ and ‘secondary drowning.' As for the concern about inhaling water during swimming: There are 2 tubes– esophagus which goes to the stomach and the trachea which goes to the lungs. If water is swallowed it goes to the stomach & is absorbed or peed out. The epiglottis naturally blocks water from going into the lungs. A child would have to be unconscious or the epiglottis would have to be jarred in some way for it not to function properly. If a child inhales some water while playing in the bath or gets dunked in the pool during water tag, there’s no need to worry. Here are some reputable sources to check out: American College of Emergency Physicians, Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine, Volume 32, Number 9 https://bit.ly/3geqls6 American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevention of Drowning, May 2019, 143 (5) e20190850; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0850 University of Michigan, Dispelling 'Dry Drowning' and Other Swimming Safety Myths https://bit.ly/3Co81Fz UnityPoint Health, Dispelling Myths about Dry Drowning https://bit.ly/3Akvffd Cleveland Clinic, ‘Dry Drowning’: Separating Fact From Fiction https://cle.clinic/3hH0oSG Kid Nurse ‘Your Kids Aren’t Dry Drowning (Because It’s Not Real)’ https://bit.ly/3IH8VBu

There is an important difference between fear and apprehension when experiencing a new experience in a new environment. Like going to a new school or beginning a new activity, it's normal to see some tears or hear some protesting during the first few ISR lessons. I am new to your child, and this is a new activity—so it's all to be expected. The best thing you can do for your child is to approach lessons like you do the car seat. Sometimes kids hate the car seat—they scream and pitch a complete fit about going in it! But we don't apologize to them or feel bad that they are crying about it because we know with absolute certainty it is what's best for them to keep them safe. ISR is the same way—these are life skills that they will use and are proof of your commitment to their safety and wellbeing as their parents. If parents are super emotional that first week because their children are adjusting to lessons, the children can feel that! The more relaxed and at ease you are, the faster they will adapt to this new environment. For more information, see ISR's Crying Protocol. Remember, fear is a learned behavior. Your child will only truly be fearful of the water if he or she has witnessed or experienced a traumatic aquatic event.

Refreshers We encourage registering for Refresher Lessons at least once a year, after your child’s initial learning. These follow-up lessons will ensure your little one gets to adjust their skills to their rapid growth, as well as expand on the year’s previous skills. Refresher Lessons are every weekday, Monday-Friday. They work the same as the child’s first year of ISR Lessons, where the child comes to lessons until they show independence and confidence in the water with their ISR Skills. However, since ISR Skills are not new to the child, they typically complete lessons in a shorter time frame each year. Maintenance Lessons Maintenance Lessons are single lessons that can be scheduled periodically and are highly recommended to keep your child's skills sharp and intact. Maintenance lessons are scheduled during a session and occur once a week. ISR Self-Rescue® skills are sensorimotor-based, meaning they aren't simply "forgotten" over time—but like any skill, they can become rusty without regular practice. Just as a child who learns to play the piano needs consistent practice to improve and maintain their abilities, a child who learns ISR skills benefits from continued reinforcement. You wouldn’t expect a child to take a break from piano for months and return playing at the same level. Similarly, without ongoing practice, swimming skills can fade or be affected by new habits, physical growth, or developmental changes.Because these are life-saving skills, it’s essential to give your child every opportunity to maintain them through consistent, ongoing lessons. Maintenance lessons ensure that your child’s skills remain strong, confident, and reliable when it matters most.

Yes! As a special education teacher, I strive to serve the special needs community and welcome students with diverse needs. I have extensive experience with children who have a wide range of disabilities. All students must complete a medical history review conducted by ISR’s nursing team. They will approve your child for lessons and provide tailored protocols to address individual needs, ensuring a safe and customized learning experience.

Yes! Many children have come to ISR lessons after swimming in other programs and are able to master the skills.

Children as young as six months (who can sit upright independently) are eligible. Starting earlier ensures your child is safer sooner. “The sooner the safer!” -all ISR Instructors

This is up to the individual instructor, as ISR does not technically have an upper age limit. I am happy to teach children over 6 years of age depending on their needs.

There are two costs associated with ISR Self-Rescue lessons: Instructor fees and National ISR Registration fees. Instructor Fees Lesson tuition is based on location. These are the current rates: Hillcrest/Alvin - $120/week Coastal Swim Academy - $130/week Travel Lessons In-Home - $130/week + travel fee (based on location) Special Needs Lessons (any location) - $130 to $150/week **double booked lesson times for student transition needs**only scheduled with approval** The first week’s tuition is due upon securing a lesson spot and is non-refundable. Registration Fees A one-time $105 ISR registration fee (non-refundable) is also required and covers a full medical review by the ISR medical team. Registration updates are then $40 annually. If payments are a hardship for your family, especially with multiple siblings, please ask me about making payment arrangements. Also, once registered, each family has their own unique gift code link in their portal which you can give to family and friends next time they are looking for that perfect gift. I also have a list of amazing organizations that provide scholarships for families that qualify based on financial needs and other qualifying criteria. Please reach out to me for this list.

ISR has been researched and developed for almost 60 years. It is globally recognized as the safest swim program for infants and children. Your child will learn life-saving skills that traditional lessons do not provide. True Independence Children learn to swim with their face in the water without flotation devices. ISR teaches them how to respond independently in real-life situations. Back Float = Survival Children are taught to roll onto their back to rest and breathe—a life-saving skill. Vertical treading is exhausting; floating is survival. Frustration-Free Results Many parents turn to ISR after spending time and money on traditional lessons that didn’t lead to real, usable skills. Expert Instructors ISR instructors complete 8 weeks of intensive, hands-on in-water training with real students, plus annual recertification and CPR/First Aid certification. Training also includes extensive hours of academic training in anatomy, physiology, child psychology, behavior and development, sensorimotor learning, and how each relates to the aquatic environment. Greater Value Compared to years of seasonal lessons with minimal progress, ISR offers lasting skills in less time—a smart, potentially life-saving investment. Local traditional swim lessons typically cost $75–$100 for a 30-minute private session. When comparing lesson-to-lesson pricing, a 10-minute ISR private lesson with a highly trained instructor is often the same or even less. Though ISR lessons are shorter, they’re condensed for effectiveness—your child learns life-saving survival swim skills in significantly less time. The payment schedule reflects this condensed format, offering exceptional value for the expertise and outcome.

The success of ISR training relies heavily on consistent attendance. Here's my policy on missed lessons: Lesson Credits: Lessons that are missed due to weather or instructor illness will be credited back to your account. Lessons are reserved by the time-slot. Any missed due to student illness, vacation, or other commitments will not be credited. Prolonged illness absences longer than a week or extenuating circumstances may be credited for another lesson at the instructor's discretion. Session Length Flexibility: While sessions typically run 6 weeks, the actual duration can vary based on your child's progress: Some children master skills more quickly and may finish early Others may need additional time to develop reliable skills For absences due to extenuating circumstances, I can try arrange additional time for your child to be in the pool with me if possible. When planning for duration of lessons, especially if there are absences, it helps to count days, rather than weeks. For example, to gauge an approximate end date, rather than planning out “6 calendar weeks,” it helps to count out “30 lesson days” instead. Regardless, all children will come to lessons until they are completely ISR Skilled. I understand that life events happen, but consistent attendance is crucial for skill development. Please plan your schedule accordingly to maximize your child's learning experience.

Please visit the scheduler link for the location you wish to enroll at. Once you reserve your time slot, you will be directed to complete the ISR registration. Alvin & Travel Scheduler Coastal Swim Academy Scheduler ISR Registration - Medical History Review

Please put your name on the waitlist if you do not see anything that fits your schedule. Things do change and I would love to work your child in if possible.

Yes! There are many great organizations that offer scholarships based on a variety of criteria. Please click HERE for my running link to scholarship opportunities. The list is updated annually. If applying for a scholarship, you must discuss the details with me before applying to ensure lesson availability. Each organization has guidelines regarding timeframes for using funds that families must follow.