Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center - New York

Alisha C.

Kind, compassionate and vested instructors who have a genuine love for kids and the water. The administrators are knowledgeable and professional and prompt with replies and helping navigate options. Clean lockers, the most extended family time for practice if you are a member and the most price effective swim lessons - compared to all the other options downtown. Best place to learn to swim!

Rafael M.

They provide after-school programs for public schools in Manhattan. Unfortunately, there’s no way to give them feedback directly through the school system, so I decided to share my experience here. I think their after-school program leaves a lot to be desired.

In order to join the sports part of the program tryouts are required. My son, a middle schooler who excels in various sports, particularly soccer, has had a very negative experience. During his first soccer tryout at Central Park, he was told there were no restroom options available, which resulted in him having an embarrassing accident. This lack of basic accommodation is unacceptable for any program working with children.

He also tried out for basketball and track, but despite his confidence and good performance during the track tryouts, he didn’t make the team. The selection criteria is unclear, leaving both parents and students frustrated. And the school teams don’t even seem to perform well in external competitions.

We initially expected that he would be able to participate in sports with his friends after school, but the entire experience has left us very frustrated and disappointed. If your child is starting middle school and this after-school program is being offered, be aware that participation is not guaranteed, and your child may not get the chance to play.

Olivia L.

Kind of mean and very interesting, the food is just for elementary kids because their afterschool needs to be paid. So they just are being mean to the people who are for free

Diana

My daughter took swimming here this summer. Thank you miss Jade for being the perfect instructor for my daughter. Thank you, dear manager (didn’t get the name, sorry) lifeguards and administrators for making this such an easy and seamless process.
My daughter is a slow and anxious learner when it comes to everything, miss Jade was calm, patient and very gentle with my girl. The exercises are great, I can see how much more comfortable she’s in the water already.
We are looking to continue swim lessons in the future to make sure our baby is safe ❤️
Thanks, swim team! You guys rock!

Roli G.

Love this place for its fantastic pool. My 5 yo daughter has quickly learned swimming here and all the instructors are good and knowledgeable. We also come here to swim regularly during the family swim time and also for adult laps. Pool area and water are always clean and so are the changing areas and showers. I have heard great things about their summer camp and we are going to send our daughter here this year during the summer.

Jeffrey C.

We largely come to Manhattan Youth for the swim lessons, which are great. The pool is heated and clean, and the teachers are really great with the kids. The classes themselves are not that large and in fact, my younger one has largely been 1 on 1 while my older one has only one other classmate and gets lots of attention from the instructors.

They do enforce people to not wear shoes by the pool, and also tell people to shower before going in and out of the pool which is fantastic. It bothers me to no end seeing other pools and it's just a free for all.

Jenny L.

Swim classes for kids are great! Clean environment, clean pool and locker room.

Update: my kids learned how to swim n tred water within a summer here. We did the group lessons. The game changer was me practicing with them once a week towards the last few weeks of summer. Awesome staff and instructors!

Carla R.

Great place!! I enjoy swimming here. It is a wonderful place for anyone of all ages. Caring and professional staff. Love it.