Why a Locally-Owned Swim School Makes a Difference

When it comes to swim lessons, parents are making more than a scheduling decision — they’re making a safety decision. Who you choose to teach your child to swim is a crucial choice to make, yet many families don’t realize the value in spending the time to find the right swim school. There’s a big difference between enrolling in a locally-owned swim school and choosing one owned by a franchise or investor group.

Texas Swim Academy is proud to be locally owned and operated right here in Katy. Our founder and owner, Kathleen McMordie, built this school from the ground up with one mission in mind —  giving children the life-saving swimming skills they need in an environment rooted in trust, personal care, and community.

That mission is what truly sets us apart from corporate swim schools.

Why Ownership of Your Swim School Matters

Many of today’s swim schools are backed by large investor groups or franchise corporations. These organizations are driven by growth, profit, and brand expansion. That often means higher enrollment goals, less personal involvement, and business decisions made by people who have never met your child — or stepped foot in your community.

A locally-owned swim school like Texas Swim Academy is driven by passion and purpose. Our owner is a part of the community. Our entire staff is on deck, accessible and accountable in more ways than one. When we say we want to make a difference in the community, we mean it, and that makes all the difference. 

Kathleen McMordie didn’t start Texas Swim Academy because of a business opportunity — she started it because of a need. As a mother herself, Kathleen wanted to provide her community with the same survival swim instruction she was able to find for her own children when they were younger. With a background as an intensive care nurse, Kathleen had a strong desire to keep kids safe around water and decided to open a swim school that was built for families — not investors.

Today, Kathleen is still fully involved in daily operations. She leads with integrity, mentors her instructors personally, and builds lasting relationships with families. You’ll often find her in the pool teaching young children (and sometimes the children of the children she taught many years ago!) a skillset that serves as the foundation for their love and respect of the water. 

That kind of leadership isn’t just rare in franchise swim schools — it’s virtually unheard of.

The Local Advantage: Why It Makes a Difference

There are many reasons why enrolling in a locally-owned swim school better serves your child and your family.

1. Personal Connection Over Profit

Investor-run programs are built to scale, which means they focus on efficiency and enrollment numbers. Locally-owned schools like Texas Swim Academy prioritize relationships over revenue. We take time to get to know each family and each child’s unique personality, needs, and progress.

2. Hands-On Ownership & Accountability

Franchise swim schools are often run by absentee owners or managers who follow a corporate playbook. At Texas Swim Academy, the owner is present and personally invested in your child’s experience. 

3. Quality Over Quantity

Corporate swim models are designed to move kids through programs quickly to maintain cash flow. We don’t rush the learning process. We emphasize survival swim first — because your child’s safety is too important to be a footnote.

4. Consistent Staff, Not Constant Turnover

Franchise schools often experience high staff turnover due to rigid policies and impersonal management. At Texas Swim Academy, our team is more like family — many of our instructors have been with us for a long time and are personally trained by Kathleen herself.

5. Rooted in the Community

As members of the Katy community, we don’t just serve local families — we are one. Our reputation matters, and we’re committed to maintaining trust, transparency, and long-term relationships with every family that walks through our doors.

Trust Matters, Know Who You’re Choosing to Teach Your Child

When you’re choosing a swim school for your child, it’s easy to get caught up in class times, pool temperatures, or how close the location is to your home. But what matters most goes much deeper — it’s about who you’re trusting to teach your child a potentially life-saving skill.

Before enrolling in a survival swim program, take the time to ask the right questions. Here’s what to consider — and why the answers are so important:

1. Who owns this swim school?

This question may seem simple, but it tells you a lot. Is the school owned by a local family that’s invested in the community, or is it operated by a group of investors or a national franchise? The answer will often reveal the school’s priorities. Local owners typically have a personal stake in the success of each child, while investor-backed schools may be more focused on metrics and expansion.

2. Are the owners involved in daily operations?

It’s one thing to have a name on a business license — it’s another to have the owner actively present, engaged, and accountable. When owners like Kathleen are involved in the day-to-day operations, you get leadership that is accessible, hands-on, and personally invested in your child’s safety and progress. In many franchise models, the owners may be off-site, unavailable, or even unknown to the families they serve.

3. What’s driving their mission — profits or purpose?

Is the school in business to meet quarterly goals, or are they on a mission to make a difference? This is where investor-owned programs often fall short. Their decisions may be driven by shareholders or national branding strategies, not by what’s best for your child. At Texas Swim Academy, our purpose is clear: we teach survival swim because it saves lives, and we care deeply about helping every child thrive in the water.

4. Do they treat my child like a number or a name?

Mass enrollment swim schools may get your child into the water quickly — but what happens next? Will your child get individual attention? Will the instructors understand their personality, fears, or progress? Locally-owned schools take the time to build relationships. At Texas Swim Academy, your child isn’t just another swimmer in the schedule — they’re part of our swim family, and we work to ensure every lesson is meaningful and tailored to their needs.

Ready to Enroll in Survival Swim Lessons?

When it comes to your child’s safety, there is no room for guessing. Knowing who owns the swim school, what they stand for, and how they operate gives you confidence that your child is in the best hands.

At Texas Swim Academy, we’re proud to give parents that peace of mind — every single day. Contact us to enroll in survival swimming lessons and become a part of the long-standing tradition that is Texas Swim Academy today.

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is the best swim school near me offering result-oriented swimming lessons in Katy that cater to all ages and abilities. Our well-trained and experienced swimming instructors provide a variety of programs for infants through adulthood. For the little ones, we offer swimming lessons for babies and swimming lessons for toddlers focused on survival swimming skills to build a strong water safety foundation and foster water confidence at a young age. Once your child knows how to swim, our swim lessons for children will help refine techniques and build endurance, as the consistent practice of their swimming skills is an imperative part of becoming a strong swimmer. 

Our adaptive aquatics program is designed for children of all ages and abilities to ensure every child, including children on the autism spectrum, can benefit from these fundamental skills and enjoy the water in a safe and comfortable environment. Adults seeking to improve their swimming prowess or learn how to swim for the first time can enroll in adult swim lessons tailored to their specific goals.

Our swim lessons near me are a convenient and accessible way for you and your family to learn how to swim in a comfortable environment. Our dedicated instructors are passionate about teaching and ensuring your progress in the water. Take a few minutes to view Our Swimmer Stories to learn more about what other families are saying about their experience with Texas Swim Academy. 

Contact us to learn more about our programs or stop by our state-of-the-art swimming facility in Katy to register today. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for important news, updates, and swimming safety tips, and read our blog to keep up-to-date with important information on water safety and proper swimming lessons.