JRays Swim School (swim lessons)
JRays Swim School Offers Tucson’s Premier Outdoor Swim Lessons
Learn to swim at the J! Our program builds confidence, teaches water safety, and emphasizes fun through developmentally appropriate methods! Designed for ages 6 months and up, JRays Swim School offers weekly, year-round private swim lessons and group and semi-private lessons March-October. Whether your swimmer is just getting their toes wet or ready to level up, there’s a JRays option for you!
Registration Options + Pricing
March – October 2026 Group Swim Lesson Registration Options + Pricing
Offered March-October, groups meet once a week for 30-minute lessons over a four-week session. All classes are offered multiple days a week and multiple-day registration is encouraged! Each once-a-week, four-week session is $90 for members and $110 for guests. Our group swim lessons are segmented by age and skill level. Swimmers in the learn to swim & preschool levels can move from one level to the next within a session, all levels run concurrently. Classes have a minimum enrollment of 2 swimmers with a 4:1 ratio. Swimmers ages 3-5 may sign up for Preschool Swim and swimmers ages 5-12 should register for Learn to Swim. Here is the quick breakdown for the 3 levels:
- Level 1: For swimmers that are new to lessons or not comfortable in the water.
- Level 2: For children who are comfortable practicing skills with an instructor’s help and are working towards independent swimming.
- Level 3: For children who can swim on their own and are working to gain stroke technique and endurance.
Payment for group lessons is required at registration to secure a spot in class. Cancellations must be given more than 30-days in advance of the class start date in order to receive a credit or refund. Make-up lessons are available if classes are cancelled due to the weather. If swimmers are sick, make-up arrangements can be made with prior notification.
Saturday
March 7-28
April 4-25
May 2-23
June 6-27
July 4-25
August 1-22
September 5-26
October 3-24
No Classes:
5/30, 7/4, 8/29, 9/12
Sunday
March 1-22
March 29-April 19
April 26-May 17
May 31-June 21
June 28- July 19
July 26-August 16
August 30-September 20
September 27-October 18
No Classes:
5/24, 8/23, 9/6, 9/13
Monday
March 30-April 20
April 27-May 18
June 1-22
June 29-July 20
July 27-August 17
August 31-September 21
September 28-October 19
No Classes:
5/25, 8/24, 9/7, 9/21
Tuesday
March 3-24
March 31-April 21
April 28- May 19
June 2-23
June 30-July 21
July 28-August 18
September 1-22
September 29-October 20
No Classes:
5/26, 8/25
Wednesday
April 1-22
April 29-May 20
June 3-24
July 1-22
July 29-August 19
September 2-23
September 30-October 21
No Classes:
4/1, 5/27, 8/26
Thursday
March 5-26
April 2-23
April 30-May 21
June 4-25
July 2-23
July 30-August 20
September 3-24
October 1-22
No Classes:
5/21, 5/28, 8/27
2026 Private Lesson Registration Options + Pricing
Offered year-round, for ages 2-102, private swim lessons are set up with the swimmer and the instructor directly. Swim lesson packages are non-refundable and non-transferable, and must be used within 12 months from the purchase date. The swim schedule is customizable between swimmer and instructor based on availability and weather. Cancellations to the schedule must be made 24-hours in advance to avoid being charged for the session. Not sure who to sign up with? Check out our incredible swim coaches below!
Private Lesson Packages | Tucson J Member | Community |
|---|---|---|
Single 30-minutes | $40 | $50 |
5-pack 30-minutes | $185 | $235 |
10-pack 30-minutes | $350 | $450 |
Single 60-minutes | $75 | $95 |
5-pack 60-minutes | $350 | $450 |
10-pack 60-minutes | $650 | $850 |
2026 Semi-Private Swim Lesson Registration Options + Pricing
The set-up for semi-private swim lessons is the same as private lessons, with multiple swimmers working with one coach. Each swimmer must be registered for a package or single semi-private lesson session to join the lesson. Semi-private lessons require a minimum of two swimmers, who are coordinated by parents/guardians (typically siblings or friends who are similar ages and swim abilities).
Lesson Packages are non-refundable and non-transferable. Expires 12 months after purchase. 24-hour cancellation directly with instructions required to avoid the charge. All Swimmers Participating in Semi-private lessons must be registered for a single lesson or package. Up to 4 swimmers per lesson.
Semi-Private Lesson Packages | Tucson J Member | Community |
|---|---|---|
Single 30-minutes | $25 | $30 |
5-pack 30-minutes | $110 | $135 |
10-pack 30-minutes | $200 | $250 |
Single 60-minutes | $50 | $60 |
5-pack 60-minutes | $225 | $275 |
10-pack 60-minutes | $400 | $500 |
Group Lessons (ages 6 months-3)
Make a splash with our fun and safe swim lessons for toddlers ages 1–3, designed to build water confidence and early swimming skills.
- 11:30 AM to
- 12:00 PM
Group Lessons (ages 3-5)
Our swim lessons for ages 3–5 help young swimmers gain confidence, learn essential water safety, and develop foundational skills through fun, age-appropriate instruction.
- 11:00 AM to
- 11:30 AM
- 11:00 AM to
- 11:30 AM
- 11:00 AM to
- 11:30 AM
- 1:00 PM to
- 1:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
- 5:00 PM to
- 5:30 PM
Group Lessons (ages 5-12)
Swim lessons for ages 5–12 focus on building strong swimming techniques, boosting confidence, and promoting water safety with our fun and engaging instructors!
- 10:30 AM to
- 11:00 AM
- 10:30 AM to
- 11:00 AM
- 10:30 AM to
- 11:00 AM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
- 4:30 PM to
- 5:00 PM
JRays Swim School Private & Semi-Private Lessons
Available year-round for ages 2–102, our private and semi-private lessons are tailored to each swimmer. Book directly with your instructor and start lessons right after registering! Packages are non-refundable and non-transferable.
In our semi-private swim lessons, there are multiple swimmers working with one coach. We do not typically coordinate swimmers into semi-private lessons; these are usually taught to two or more siblings or friends who are similar ages and swim abilities.
Morgan Montague
About
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Morgan has been teaching at the J since 2016, helping build the Swim School from the ground up. She has 22+ years of swimming experience and has swum competitively since the age of 5. Throughout her time teaching at the J, Morgan has taught the majority of the swimmers who have participated in the various swim programs, many of whom still remember her and know her by name. Morgan has a true passion for teaching, engaging in playful instruction of her younger swimmers, and full cognitive instruction for her older swimmers. Morgan teaches all ages and skill levels and is a regular on the pool deck.
Raegan Seip
About
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Experience: Former instructor at another swim school. Works best with young swimmers who are new to lessons.
Ian Choi
About
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Ian has been swimming his whole life, from club teams to the competitive scene, and loves how the sport constantly pushes oneself to improve. That is why he enjoys teaching lessons— swimming imparts so many useful habits and skills that are applicable throughout life. Whether it is discipline in pushing through tough sets or patience through working out a difficult technique, each quality is essential in providing younger generations with a foundation of good habits to build on. As for himself, Ian likes to hike Mount Lemmon and Sabino Canyon or read in his free time.
Leila Stafford
About
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Leila has been teaching lessons at the Tucson J for over a year. She has been a competitive swimmer since age four and has committed to swim Division 1 at the University of Michigan. Leila loves teaching children of all ages to work on strong fundamentals, water safety, and eventually stroke techniques, and she enjoys watching them grow.
Viridiana Henikman
About
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Experience: New instructor, current competitive swimmer for over 10 years. Comfortable teaching swimmers of all levels.
Desiree Blute
About
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Desiree has been competitively swimming since age 4, and loves teaching lessons to share her love of the sport with others. One fun fact about Desiree is that she also plays the harp!
Chrisa Whitmore
About
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Chrisa has been part of the Tucson J swim family for about 2 years. At the J, Chrisa has been focused on teaching all levels at the J Rays Swim School and the Toddler Class. She began teaching swim lessons at 16 years old and quickly discovered a passion for helping swimmers build confidence and find joy in the water. Chrisa’s teaching style centers on trust, comfort, and fun, ensuring every swimmer feels safe and supported. She celebrates every victory, no matter how big or small, and loves supporting each swimmer’s unique journey. By tailoring her approach to each swimmer’s pace and individual needs, Chrisa creates a positive and empowering learning experience for all. Outside of the pool, Chrisa is pursuing her PhD in environmental science at the University of Arizona and loves relaxing with her dogs and family.
Ryan Perham
About
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Coach Ryan is a dedicated swim coach and former Division I athlete with over 20 years of experience in competitive swimming and water polo. He competed for the University of Arizona, specializing in sprint freestyle and butterfly events. During his collegiate career, Ryan earned CSCAA All-American honors and contributed to setting a school record in the 200 freestyle relay, which placed 12th at the NCAA Division I Championships. He also helped secure a third-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay at the Pac-12 Championships. After his competitive years, Ryan transitioned into coaching, working with swimmers of all ages and skill levels, including those with special education needs. He now coaches the Tucson J Stingrays Swim team and does private swimming lessons.
Miguel Villalpando
About
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Miguel has been teaching for over 4 years. He is experienced with teaching every age range and has taught a variety of classes, including summer swimming, preschool, youth classes, infant, adult swim lessons, SAW (Safety around water), and more. Miguel looks forward to being your teacher!
Kyle Lopez
About
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Kyle is a swim instructor with over three years of experience teaching swimmers of all ages and skill levels. He currently teaches private swim lessons with Sunsational Swim School and provides both private and group instruction at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Kyle has previously worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor with the YMCA of Southern Arizona, as well as an assistant coach at Ventana Canyon Swim team. He is recognized for building strong relationships with students and families, earning multiple five-star reviews for his instruction. He is passionate about water safety and helping swimmers build confidence in the water. In his free time, Kyle likes to play basketball, go hiking, listen to music, and play video games.
Jeffrey Bartholomeusz
About
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Jeffrey is a former competitive swimmer and water polo player with 4+ years of experience teaching swim lessons. He is comfortable with all age groups and skill levels.
Avery Howayeck
About
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Avery is a 2X SAAA breaststroke record holder with over 8 years of experience teaching the basics of swimming to stroke technique for all ages—babies to adults. Avery’s fun–loving personality and passion for swim lessons make swimming fun to learn, and she does her best to personalize all of her lessons to each student.
Caitlyn Schmid
About
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Caitlyn has been swimming since she was five years old and basically grew up in the water, swimming all the way through the end of high school! Her love for swimming led her to start teaching swim lessons in her freshman year of high school, and she has happily continued teaching on and off ever since. Now, as a parent of two young children, water safety is close to her heart. Caitlyn teaches swim lessons because she truly believes swimming is one of the most important (and fun!) life skills a child can learn. Starting early builds confidence, safety, and a lifelong love for the water—and Caitlyn loves being part of that journey!
Amber Janky
About
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Amber is a D1 swimmer and enjoys working with kids and teaching them valuable lessons like swimming. Her favorite color is purple.
Abby Anderson
About
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Abby is a former competitive swimmer with over 3 years of experience teaching swim lessons. She especially enjoys teaching beginner water comfortability and survival skills.
Carrick Montague
About
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Carrick was a competitive swimmer from five years old until sixteen, when he decided to take up fencing. He is a self-proclaimed nerd and a lover of all things art, and he enjoys programming video games and writing music for them. He has been teaching in the Tucson J Stingray Pups, Learn to Swim, and Camp J programs for two years now.
Landry Moore
About
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Landry began lifeguarding in her hometown of Dallas, Texas in 2023 and quickly advanced to teaching lifeguard certification courses the following summer. She joined the Tucson J in October 2024, bringing both skill and enthusiasm to the aquatics team. Passionate about safety and teamwork, Landry works hard to create a welcoming environment at the pool. Outside of work, Landry travels to play competitive rugby, representing her team in matches and tournaments across the country.
Shelby Johnson
About
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Shelby has been swimming for two years and has one year of swim instructor experience. She teaches lessons because she genuinely loves helping people feel confident in the water—and promises lessons are productive and fun.
Katherine Montague
About
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Katherine has been teaching at the Tucson J for two years for both Camp J and ECE swim lessons. In her spare time, she forges fun tools with her dad and swims year–round.
Hannah Montague
About
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Experience: 1 year teaching preschool and elementary age group & private lessons. Former competitive swimmer.
Lillian Li
About
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Lillian swam competitively for around 10 years, and swimming has always been a huge part of her life. Ever since stepping away from competing, she has loved staying involved by becoming an instructor and teaching the basics. Fun fact: Lillian has a pet bird named Kiwi!
FAQs
If my swimmer is enrolled in JCare or ECE, can someone bring them to the pool?
Yes, we have runners who transport participants to their activities.
What should I do if I know my swimmer will miss a lesson?
For group lessons, email our Swim School Coordinator, Morgan Montague, at mmontague@tucsonjcc.org to let her know, and she will help you from there. If your swimmer is taking private lessons, contact their instructor directly.
Where do we go for JRays Swim School?
The instructors will be by the corner of the shade pool with toys and a clipboard.
What gear does my swimmer need for lessons?
An appropriate swimsuit (with a swim diaper as needed), goggles, and a towel. We do not use swim shoes for these lessons, they will be left by the side of the pool for your swimmer to pick up when they are done.
What should I do if my swimmer isn't a good fit for group lessons?
We offer private and semi-private (2 or more swimmers) lessons year-round, for all ages. If your swimmer isn’t fitting well in group swim, those are the first options we would direct you to. Contact Morgan Montague, swim school coordinator, at mmontague@tucsonjcc.org for additional assistance.
When I go to sign up my swimmer for private lessons, no instructors are available. What should I do?
Email the instructors directly and include Morgan Montague, swim school coordinator, at mmontague@tucsonjcc.org. Sometimes we have additional availability!