Fresno Unified School Swimming Programs, Parks dept., and More
Are there local area swimming programs for free?
Yes, there are several swimming programs available for underserved school children in the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD), primarily through partnerships between the district, the City of Fresno, and local community organizations. These programs aim to provide free or low-cost access to swimming lessons and recreational swimming.
Here are the key programs and initiatives:
Fresno Unified and City of Fresno Partnership
Fresno Unified School District collaborates with the City of Fresno's Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) department to offer free swim lessons to all FUSD students.
Free Lessons: One free session of swim lessons is typically available to all City of Fresno residents between the ages of 3 and 17, as well as all FUSD students.
Locations: Lessons are offered at the swimming pools of several Fresno Unified high schools, including Bullard, Edison, Fresno, Hoover, McLane, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside.
Registration: Registration is usually done online, and high demand is common. The registration website has experienced technical difficulties in the past due to high traffic, so it's advisable to register as early as possible. Keep an eye on the Fresno Unified and City of Fresno PARCS websites for registration announcements, which typically open in the spring for the summer sessions.
Recreational Swimming: In addition to lessons, free recreational swimming is often available at various city pools, including those at high schools and community parks.5
Community and Non-Profit Programs
Several community organizations also provide swimming opportunities, often with a focus on underserved youth:
Break the Barriers: This organization offers a variety of inclusive programs, including swimming lessons.6 They partner with Fresno Unified to provide off-site swim sessions for students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.
Echo Aquatics: This local sports club is dedicated to making aquatic sports like swimming and water polo accessible to all, particularly marginalized and underserved communities.7 They offer free programs for high school students to remove financial barriers to participation.8
Fresno United Neighborhoods (FUN): In the past, FUN has received grants to support summer pool programs and provide swim scholarships, specifically targeting extended family swim hours at learner pool sites.
Addressing the Need for Water Safety
These programs are not only for recreation but also to promote crucial water safety skills. Drowning is a serious risk, and providing access to swim lessons for all children, regardless of their family's income, is a stated goal of these community efforts.9 There is a recognized need in the community to improve and expand these aquatic programs to reach more children.
For the most current information on registration dates, schedules, and locations, it is recommended to check the official websites of the Fresno Unified School District's Expanded Learning Department and the City of Fresno PARCS Department as summer approaches.Yes, there are several swimming programs available for underserved school children in the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD), primarily through partnerships between the district, the City of Fresno, and local community organizations. These programs aim to provide free or low-cost access to swimming lessons and recreational swimming.1
Here are the key programs and initiatives:
Fresno Unified and City of Fresno Partnership
Fresno Unified School District collaborates with the City of Fresno's Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) department to offer free swim lessons to all FUSD students.2
Free Lessons: One free session of swim lessons is typically available to all City of Fresno residents between the ages of 3 and 17, as well as all FUSD students.
Locations: Lessons are offered at the swimming pools of several Fresno Unified high schools, including Bullard, Edison, Fresno, Hoover, McLane, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside.
Registration: Registration is usually done online, and high demand is common. The registration website has experienced technical difficulties in the past due to high traffic, so it's advisable to register as early as possible.3 Keep an eye on the Fresno Unified and City of Fresno PARCS websites for registration announcements, which typically open in the spring for the summer sessions.4
Recreational Swimming: In addition to lessons, free recreational swimming is often available at various city pools, including those at high schools and community parks.5
Community and Non-Profit Programs
Several community organizations also provide swimming opportunities, often with a focus on underserved youth:
Break the Barriers: This organization offers a variety of inclusive programs, including swimming lessons.6 They partner with Fresno Unified to provide off-site swim sessions for students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.
Echo Aquatics: This local sports club is dedicated to making aquatic sports like swimming and water polo accessible to all, particularly marginalized and underserved communities.7 They offer free programs for high school students to remove financial barriers to participation.8
Fresno United Neighborhoods (FUN): In the past, FUN has received grants to support summer pool programs and provide swim scholarships, specifically targeting extended family swim hours at learner pool sites.
Addressing the Need for Water Safety
These programs are not only for recreation but also to promote crucial water safety skills. Drowning is a serious risk, and providing access to swim lessons for all children, regardless of their family's income, is a stated goal of these community efforts.9 There is a recognized need in the community to improve and expand these aquatic programs to reach more children.
For the most current information on registration dates, schedules, and locations, it is recommended to check the official websites of the Fresno Unified School District's Expanded Learning Department and the City of Fresno PARCS Department as summer approaches.
Last updated 6/19/2025