APS Water Safety Instruction & Swimming

The instructional program serves as an integral and vital component of health physical education co-curricular activities in the Arlington Public Schools. The program teaches safety awareness, develops basic swimming skills, and enhances proficiency levels of all aquatic skills. It also improves personal and community safety skills and helps students develop a commitment to lifetime fitness.

Students in third and fourth grade receive five hours of swimming and water safety instruction during the school year. Ninth and tenth graders spend three to four week of their physical education time at the swimming pool, and participate in swimming, water safety, small craft safety, fitness, and aquatic recreation. All students learn swimming and water safety skills that are appropriate to their proficiency level and that enhance their ability to participate fully and safely in aquatic activities. The program includes fitness swimming, small craft and water recreation, and competition. The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program provides the framework for our swimming and water safety curriculum, our instructors are certified and authorized by the program co-sponsor, Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Arlington Secondary School students may also participate in interscholastic swimming and diving. Middle school students receive instruction and coaching in swimming and diving and engage in athletic competition among the five APS schools. High school students participate in regional athletic competition as part of the Virginia High School League (VHSL). Yorktown High School Girls Swim Team won the title of District Champions in 2005-06 and 2006-07. The Athletic Program provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their swimming and diving proficiency through competitive events as well as an opportunity for students to excel and experience success, while promoting and applying concepts of teamwork, sportsmanship, respect for others, and high standards of conduct and honor.

For more information, please contact the Aquatics Management Office at 703-228-6263.