At the Matilda Torres High School swimming pool, young children are learning everything from kicking and blowing bubbles to floating and swimming independently.
Leading many of the lessons are fellow Madera Unified students who are spending their summer working as instructors.
Katie Enos, the district's swim lesson program coordinator, said the goal extends far beyond teaching swimming techniques.
"We just teach those very basic water safety skills, where they get familiar with the water and they learn that it's not something to fear," Enos said. "But they also learn some very basic survival skills if they do, for some reason, fall into the water and they don't have a life jacket or safety device on."
Student instructors are paid for their work through the district's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program and the lessons are offered free of charge.
One of those instructors is Johanna Cuevas, a member of her high school swim team who became a certified lifeguard before joining the program.
"This job, I feel like it's not more of a job to me. It's more like something fun to do," Cuevas said. "I enjoy it a lot."
Students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade participate in 10-day sessions, with each lesson lasting 30 minutes.
Swimmers are grouped into four skill levels.
Beginners focus on becoming comfortable in the water and learning foundational skills, while more advanced swimmers practice different strokes and techniques.
Enos said the program also addresses one of the most serious risks associated with water recreation.
"Drowning is silent," she said. "It's so easy to look away for a second, and it's key for the students to understand how to look out for that themselves."
Cuevas said one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching students gain confidence over the course of the program.
"It's like a big progression from the first day to the last day," she said. "Because they can be completely terrified of the water, and by the last day, they're like little fishes swimming in the water."
In addition to safety and skill development, Enos hopes students simply enjoy spending time in the pool during the hot summer months.
"Ultimately, we want the kids to have fun," she said. "Being in the water is a great way to stay cool, especially in the Valley heat. Ultimately, we want parents and families to understand the important skills of staying safe around water."
District officials expect approximately 400 Madera Unified students to complete swim lessons this summer. Sign-ups for next summer's program are expected to open shortly after graduation in 2027.
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