Crenshaw Athletic Club
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Crenshaw Athletic Club provides exceptional, holistic child development programs, from toddlers to elementary school age, with a strong focus on building confidence, discipline, body awareness, and physical skills through gymnastics and swimming. Their unique value lies in highly personalized coaching that can address behavioral development challenges, a 'world-class' gymnastics program, comprehensive after-school care with academic support, and an exceptionally caring and experienced staff who act as positive mentors.
Key Highlights
- ✓Individualized coaching, exemplified by Coach AJ, effectively addresses behavioral development challenges in toddlers (starting at 18 months) and significantly boosts their confidence.
- ✓The 'Palaestra program' offers Pre-K children benefits in confidence, core strength, and overall education.
- ✓Comprehensive After School Care includes dedicated homework assistance, alongside options for swim and gymnastics, providing a well-rounded experience.
- ✓Staff are consistently praised as 'kind, professional, caring,' 'super talented,' 'great with kids,' and 'terrific mentors,' demonstrating a high level of engagement and positive influence.
- ✓The gymnastics program is described as 'world-class,' imparting 'lifelong skills for exercise, tumbling and stretching' applicable beyond the gym.
- ✓The gym facility itself is noted for being 'brilliantly set up.'
- ✓Strong communication, organization, and a positive culture are highlighted, particularly within the After School Care program.
Standout Features
- ⭐Highly personalized coaching that focuses on a child's individual developmental needs, including behavioral challenges.
- ⭐Integrated After School Care that combines academic support (homework help) with diverse physical activities (swim, gymnastics, exercise).
- ⭐Diverse skill development opportunities in gymnastics, swimming, tumbling, and stretching, designed to instill 'lifelong skills'.
- ⭐Exceptional staff quality, with coaches and mentors who are talented, caring, professional, and experienced.
- ⭐A well-designed and 'brilliantly set up' gymnastics facility.
- ⭐A positive organizational culture known for excellent communication and organization.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider enrolling toddlers as young as 18 months to leverage early developmental benefits, including behavioral support and confidence building from dedicated coaches.
- →If your child attends Highland Park or nearby elementary schools, the Palaestra program and after-school care are highly recommended for convenience and program quality.
- →Utilize the After School Care program for a structured environment that supports both academic achievement (homework help) and physical activity (swim, gymnastics).
- →Expect a potential long-term commitment, as many families enroll their children for several years, witnessing significant and continuous development.
- →Recognize the staff as crucial mentors; their positive impact on children's overall development is a consistent highlight.
Price & Value
While no specific pricing details are provided, the consistent 5-star reviews and descriptions of 'world-class' programs, highly individualized attention (e.g., Coach AJ's specific dedication), and comprehensive offerings (pre-K, after-school, multiple activities) strongly suggest a premium service with excellent perceived value. The long-term enrollment of multiple children from the same families indicates parents find the investment worthwhile for their children's development and care.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Children are taught 'safety practices' as an integral part of their training, indicating a curriculum focus on safety education.
- •The After School Care program ensures children are 'well cared-for,' implying consistent supervision and a secure environment.
- •No specific facility-based safety features (e.g., wristbands, first aid station details) were explicitly mentioned.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Parent and Tot Toddler Gymnastics
Not specified (Tuition in FULL is due upon registration for 8-week session)Duration: 40 minute class, 8-week sessions
Designed to help parent and child work together to develop hand-eye coordination, body awareness, strength, agility, and flexibility with basic gymnastics skills using various gym areas.
Includes:
- •Assisted basic gymnastics skills
- •Use of gym areas
Preschool Gymnastics Classes (One Day Per Week)
$260Duration: 40 minute class, 8-week sessions
Engaging, fun, and educational classes providing a foundation for physical fitness, coordination, and love for movement. Assigned a teacher for the entire class to develop essential motor skills, balance, coordination, and flexibility.
Includes:
- •Guided gymnastics activities
Preschool Gymnastics Classes (Per Additional Day)
$180Duration: 40 minute class, 8-week sessions
Cost for adding an additional day to the Preschool Gymnastics program.
Includes:
- •Guided gymnastics activities
Summer Afternoon Gymnastics
Not specifiedDuration: Twice a week in the Afternoons
Introduces children to gymnastics, grouped by ability. Program includes rotations of trampoline, tumbling, beam, bars, rings, and more.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics rotations (trampoline, tumbling, beam, bars, rings)
Summer All Day Camp
Included in package (specific price not listed)Duration: All Day Camp
A fast-paced, fun, and exciting summer camp program with extended hours.
Includes:
- •Extended hours
- •Swimming instruction
- •Gymnastics lessons
- •Field trips
Summer Morning Gymnastics and Swimming Combo
Not specifiedDuration: All morning
An extended combo class including two gymnastics classes and one swimming class.
Includes:
- •Two gymnastics classes
- •One swimming class
Gymnastics Classes (One Day Per Week)
Not specified (Tuition for 8-week session)Duration: 40 minute class, 8-week sessions
Dynamic and enriching gymnastics experience. Children grouped by ability, rotate through events with specialized coaches (trampoline, floor, tumbling, bars, beam, rings). Focus on basic to advanced skills.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics training (trampoline, floor, tumbling, bars, beam, rings)
Gymnastics Classes (Two Days Per Week)
Not specified (Tuition for 8-week session)Duration: 40 minute class, 8-week sessions
Dynamic and enriching gymnastics experience for two days a week. Children grouped by ability, rotate through events with specialized coaches (trampoline, floor, tumbling, bars, beam, rings). Focus on basic to advanced skills.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics training (trampoline, floor, tumbling, bars, beam, rings)
Gymnastics Classes (Additional Day)
Not specified (Tuition for 8-week session)Duration: 40 minute class, 8-week sessions
Cost for adding an additional day to the Gymnastics program.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics training (trampoline, floor, tumbling, bars, beam, rings)
Swimming Classes (Two Days Per Week)
$275Duration: 30 minute class, 8-week sessions
Small teacher to student ratios (typically two teachers) for beginner to advanced swimmers. Focuses on water comfort, pool safety, fundamental skills (bubbles, floating, kicking), introducing/refining strokes, building endurance.
Includes:
- •Swimming instruction (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced levels)
Palaestra Preschool (2 days/week)
$325 per month (2025-26 School Year)Duration: Tuesday & Thursday, 7:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Educational program fostering physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth through athletics and preschool academics. Small student ratios.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics
- •Swimming
- •Science and Math
- •Language Arts
Palaestra Preschool (3 days/week)
$470 per month (2025-26 School Year)Duration: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Educational program fostering physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth through athletics and preschool academics. Small student ratios.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics
- •Swimming
- •Science and Math
- •Language Arts
Palaestra Preschool (5 days/week)
$605 per month (2025-26 School Year)Duration: Monday - Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Educational program fostering physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth through athletics and preschool academics. Small student ratios.
Includes:
- •Gymnastics
- •Swimming
- •Science and Math
- •Language Arts
Palaestra Preschool Lunch Bunch Add-on (2 days/week)
$95 (per month, 2025-26 School Year)Duration: Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Extended care for preschool children, includes supervised lunch (children bring their own) and activities, divided into groups based on nap needs.
Includes:
- •Supervised lunch
- •Activities
Palaestra Preschool Lunch Bunch Add-on (3 days/week)
$145 (per month, 2025-26 School Year)Duration: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 12:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Extended care for preschool children, includes supervised lunch (children bring their own) and activities, divided into groups based on nap needs.
Includes:
- •Supervised lunch
- •Activities
Palaestra Preschool Lunch Bunch Add-on (5 days/week)
$220 (per month, 2025-26 School Year)Duration: Monday - Friday, 12:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Extended care for preschool children, includes supervised lunch (children bring their own) and activities, divided into groups based on nap needs.
Includes:
- •Supervised lunch
- •Activities
After School Care Program
$440 per month (2025-26 School Year)Duration: From school release until 5:45 p.m.
Sports and educational program with a variety of physical and mental activities, including homework time. Focuses on challenging children in a fun atmosphere.
Includes:
- •Gymnastic classes (twice a week)
- •Recreational swimming (Fridays)
- •Arts & crafts
- •Sports activities
- •Homework time
- •Outdoor activities
- •Pick-up from Highland Park and Doss Elementary Schools
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Parent's Visiting Days
Not specified
Not specified
The elevated running track serves as a seating platform for Parent's Visiting Days.
🍎Food Policy
- • Palaestra Lunch Bunch: Children must bring their own lunch.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Swimming classes: Small teacher to student ratios (typically two teachers) to provide more one-on-one attention.
- • Palaestra Preschool: Small student ratios to allow for individual attention.
- • After School Care: Low student-teacher ratio.
📅Booking Policy
- • All tuition is due in FULL upon registration.
- • Registration for Fall Session 2 2025 begins October 6th for all classes (Parent and Tot, Preschool Gymnastics, Gymnastics, Swimming).
- • Spring classes and/or waitlists DO NOT roll over to Fall classes; new registration is required from the portal for all Fall classes.
- • Enrollment rollovers are only available from Session 1 to Session 2 for seasonal programs.
- • For Session 1 to Session 2 rollover: An email will be sent a few weeks after Session 1 begins, asking if you want to continue. Payment must be made before the due date to secure a spot.
- • After School Care registration is annually around the beginning of March via the iClassPro Portal. It is very popular and generally fills immediately.
- • Current After School Care participants have priority re-enrollment before general public registration.
- • A waitlist is available for After School Care; a new waitlist starts every year in March.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 4 reviews)
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Mila Sketch
3 weeks agoWe are thrilled with our experience at this gymnastics center! Our son, who started at just 18 months, has been attending for over a year—and the transformation has been nothing short of amazing. His coach, AJ, stands out as the most kind, professional and caring coach we’ve ever met. Noticing some challenges in his behavior development, AJ took the time to work with him and help him overcome those hurdles patiently. Thanks to AJ’s nurturing guidance, our little one has become more confident and now eagerly looks forward to every session. He’s not only improving his athletic skills inside the gym but also applying the discipline, body awareness, and safety practices he learns to other aspects of his life. We truly believe that having such a talented and caring coach makes all the difference in a child’s development. We are excited for our son to continue learning from AJ and improve even more every day. We couldn’t be more grateful for the positive impact AJ has had on our son, and we highly recommend this gym to anyone looking for the best in both coaching and care!
Albert Saenz
a year agoAll three of my kids have done at least some amount of pre-K in their Palaestra program. This program, along with after school gymnastics and swimming programs, has helped with their confidence, core strength, and overall education. Highly recommend especially if you will be attending Highland Park or other nearby elementary schools.
Rick Reeder
4 years agoOur daughter has attended Crenshaw's After School Care for three and a half years. We have all been very pleased with the communication, organization and culture at Crenshaw's! She has time and help to get her homework done, plus they have swim and gymnastics options. It's so nice to know she's well cared-for and having fun while we finish our work day. Can't say enough good things!
Jon Plum
4 years agoI've had three kids go through Crenshaw's programs. The excellent after school care is great for academic advancement and exercise. I have great memories of watching my kids learn a flip on the trampoline and taking their first swim in the pool. The staff is excellent and experienced - a great asset to Austin. My kids are not gymnasts, but I know Crenshaw's gymnastics program is world class and my children have learned lifelong skills for exercise, tumbling and stretching that are obvious in other sports and activities. I recommend Crenshaw's to anyone with kids!
Austin Refrigeration And Air Conditioning
2 years agoThis is such an amazing place for kids to stay healthy, learn confidence and get away from the dang TV! Their gym is set up brilliantly and I'll be honest, I'm totally jealous I can't go running across it. The staff is super talented and great with kids; they're truly caring people who make terrific mentors for the little ones they coach. 10/10 local business.