Baker 8th Grade on the Pool Deck at the Northwestern Aquatics Center
Life Skills and Confidence
At Baker, swimming is more than just a physical education activity—it’s a fundamental life skill that we begin nurturing as early as Pre-K. Our beloved pool is a cornerstone of our commitment to comprehensive student development, offering a unique outlet to nurture the whole child.
Our swimming program is about much more than athletic success. We want our students to feel confident and prepared when encountering new aquatic environments—whether for recreation, fitness, or other endeavors. Baker aims to instill a lifelong comfort and love for swimming. By the time our students graduate, they aren’t just skilled swimmers—they’re confident individuals who understand water safety and can navigate aquatic spaces with ease and a dose of that Baker curiosity.
Preparing for Real-World Aquatic Experiences
Swimming instruction at Baker starts early, with our youngest learners in pre-K being introduced to water safety and basic aquatic skills. This early exposure creates a foundation of comfort and competence that grows with our students throughout their educational journey. Our commitment to swimming education reaches a pinnacle in 8th grade. Recently, our 8th grade students visited the Northwestern Aquatics Center to expand their horizons beyond the Baker pool. This field trip was more than just a day of swimming—it was a carefully planned learning experience designed to build independence and confidence as we work toward the process of launching our 8th graders beyond Baker.
The visit to the Northwestern Aquatics Center focuses on three key objectives:
- Locker Room Navigation: Students learn practical skills for using public locker rooms, understanding etiquette and personal safety.
- Facility Familiarization: A comprehensive tour of the Aquatics Center helps students feel comfortable in new athletic environments. They learn what can be familiar and also, new offerings that may be of interest.
- Olympic Pool Experience: Swimming in a 25-yard Olympic-size pool challenges and expand our students’ aquatic abilities.
We are incredibly proud of our students’ swimming achievements and their willingness to embrace new challenges. The visit to the Northwestern Aquatics Center is just another step in their ongoing journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery.
8th graders experience PE in a 25 yard Pool
Northwestern Aquatics Center 8th Grade Trip