STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In a groundbreaking effort to close the water safety gap and equip children with a vital life skill, a new public-private partnership is launching a free swim instruction program for every second-grade student in select Staten Island schools.
Announced on September 16, the initiative is backed by a catalytic grant from the Heckscher Foundation for Children and brings together the YMCA of Greater New York, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. The pilot program will serve more than 800 second graders during the 2025–26 school year.
“Swimming is more than a recreational activity—it’s a life-saving skill that builds confidence and promotes equity,” said Peter Sloane, Chairman and CEO of the Heckscher Foundation for Children. “Too many children in low-income communities grow up without this basic competence. We see this Staten Island pilot as the blueprint for a citywide solution—delivered at just $333 per student.”
The program will reach students from 11 public elementary schools in mid-to-north Staten Island. Over eight to 10 weeks, students will receive weekly 45-minute swim lessons during the school day, taught by certified aquatic educators using evidence-based curricula.
The YMCA will host students at its Broadway branch.
The JCC of Staten Island will provide lessons to local elementary school students.
NYC Parks will offer instruction through its Swim for Life program at Curtis High School.
The pilot will also test shared tracking tools, including a YMCA-developed swim skills app, and collect data on student progress. Organizers expect that 95% of participants will show improvement in at least one swim skill, and more than 80% of students starting at the lowest proficiency level will advance to a higher tier.
“Expanding access to swim instruction is a matter of public health and safety,” said Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “We’re proud to partner with the Heckscher Foundation, the JCC, NYC Parks, and Staten Island schools to build on the legacy of Second Grade Swim.”
“Water safety is a life-saving skill,” added Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC of Staten Island. “We are grateful to the Heckscher Foundation for generously funding this program that teaches children to be safe while having fun in the water.”
NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa emphasized the broader impact: “We’re not just teaching swim strokes—we’re investing in the safety, health, and futures of New York City children.”
Local leaders also voiced strong support. “Living on Staten Island means our students are never far from water,” said Dr. Roderick Palton, superintendent of District 31. “This program is about giving our children the confidence to be safe and the skills to protect themselves.”
Councilmembers Kamillah Hanks and David Carr praised the initiative as a model for the rest of the city. “It is about safety, equity, and giving our young people confidence,” said Hanks. Carr added, “This program combines life skills, safety, athleticism, and fun all in one curriculum.”
The Heckscher Foundation hopes the Staten Island pilot will serve as a model for citywide expansion, making swim instruction a standard part of elementary education across all five boroughs.
