Crenshaw Athletic Club

We were celebrating an awesome birthday party here at Crenshaw Athletic Club. Start at the cottage, then an hour of gymnastics, and continuing at the cottage with water and snack. Just wonderful for kids to get their energy out with their friends. There were 3 teachers who helped the large group.

I cannot speak highly enough of this amazing preschool. There is none like it in Austin. The teachers are outstanding, and after two years here, my daughter is more confident, skilled, and smart than I could have imagined at five. She can swim laps, do flips on the trampoline, and speak some Spanish, as well as talk about gravity and other science issues. She has felt loved and supported as she has grown into the phenomenal kid she is. I can’t imagine how she could be better prepared for kindergarten.

We haven’t taken another toddler class here, so I can’t say if those have improved, but I can say that I’ve seen the new after school care people at the park with the Crenshaw kids a lot and wow, what a turn around. One day I saw one teacher enthusiastically get kickball game going, while another male teacher led a beading project w a table of girls (super cute) and a third teacher had a sweet one on one conversation with a student while on the swings.
They obviously put a lot of effort into hiring this year. If I was a working parent needing after school care, I’d send my kids here without a worry, knowing that they would have fun. And I really admire businesses that can turn critical feedback into positive changes, esp when that means more fun and happiness for kids.

My daughter is in her third year at the Palaestra program and her sister just started this year. I don’t think there is any program like this in all of Austin. The combination of swim/​gym/​academics is pretty genius. Have you ever seen 10 – 12 preschoolers move efficiently from one place to another? The kids learn discipline, kindness, impulse control and how to follow the rules (all the most important lessons for pre K) but they also learn their alphabet, writing, basic science, artists (not just doing art, they learn about the artists and styles too) It’s truly the most well rounded program I’ve seen.
I’ve heard that kids from Creshaws are favorites in Kindergarten, we’ll find out for ourselves next year. For now, I am just so happy that we found this program. Our kids can’t get enough!

Joined because it was close to my house and I needed a pool.
I just ended my membership because, well because I cant find it in my budget right now.
The attendents in the weight room are very good.
The weight room is small but very rarely crowded durring the early afternoon.
The pool is small and usually full during the daytime hours and the avg age is probably over 65. So not so great for swimming but it did serve its purpose.
Poor service responding to inquiries about billing and not very infomative or responsive to emails which would be convenient.
Very rarely did i receive a greeting from the front desk. Not very welcoming or friendly.
Overall, my experience left me feeling pretty down on Crenshaws. Not sure I would recommend it.

This place may be good for gymnastics but if you are looking for a place to host a kids birthday party, look elsewhere. Neither of the 2 instructors are personable or good with kids. I think they do kids parties simply to get money to help with the gymnastics part of the business. The kids are oblivious and had a good time. All if the parents though noticed that the instructors acted like it was a chore being there and they could care less. I will absolutely not go back.

My daughter takes the parent child classes at Crenshaw’s and we loved it until her teacher left. The new instructor is nice but doesn’t really know how to work with young children. The age group is hard (2 – 3). Many times they just don’t want to do what they are asked to.
We may be back for the next session but not with this instructor.

My 4 kids have been going to Crenshaw’s since they were 18 months old. They have now attended programs there for almost 9 years. All 4 learned to swim at Crenshaw’s and loved it. The instructors are caring and very attentive. The pool is heated and has a large shallow end.
The gymnastics program is exceptional. I would highly recommend it. They have multiple coaches working with the kids and great equipment. My kids take each year and their coordination and skill have grown.
My kids feel completely at home and everyone knows their names. The staff is always helpful, friendly and positive. They do a great job with kids night out, Summer Camps, and Birthday parties. We LOVE Crenshaw’s!!!

I am still a fan of Crenshaw’s gymnastics program. But after a year of classes, I don’t feel like the instructors made an effort to get to know my kids. I am happy with the progress they made and we will probably come back in the Fall.

My daughter loves Crenshaw. She goes there for summer camps; she had her birthday party there 2 – 3 times; she even took some regular gymnastic classes for a few months.
When my daughter was younger, she was scared of pools and water. We took her to a swim lesson (not in Crenshaw) when she was 4.5 years old. She got so scared, she refused to even enter the building. But later at Crenshaw when she was a bit older, a teacher was able to get my daughter worked through her fears. She now loves swimming, has no problem diving and putting her head in water.
Crenshaw also has an after-​school program for Casis, Doss and Highland Park. You got to get your acts together when it comes to signing up for the after-​school program. The year my daughter was supposed to enter kindergarten at Casis, I did not get my acts together. :-(I sat on the application form until it was too late. She did not get in. Every year afterwards (we’re on our 3^rd year try), we try to get her in, but it’s always full. Crenshaw gives privileges to returning kids and they only have so many spots for certain school and certain grade.
I really admire the Elsasses, the owner of Crenshaw. They have created a unique place for kids. Their gymnastic program is one of the best. You should come to one of their Gym Khana (the end of the year/​semester gymnastic recital/​show). It’s a spectacular show. Prices for their programs are very affordable. It’s the best value for your money.

We’ve had a mixed experience at Crenshaw’s. Both of our daughters attended gymnastics classes during their kindergarten year. Our older daughter hated them and fought us when it was time to go. The younger one loves gymnastics– though I honestly can’t say how much of that is a credit to Crenshaw’s and how much is just intrinsic love and some natural talent.
I have not felt a very personal connection to the instructors. Particularly for the first kid (who was not super at gymnastics on her own), I don’t feel like anyone really took the time to «know» and connect to my kids.
When classes get out, it’s pretty chaotic– lots of kids all dumping out into a small space. They do not pair kids to adults, which doesn’t bother me, but may bother some. We do have a good friend who found her preschooler wandering in the parking lot after class. Um, oops. Better be on time!
Location is fairly convenient for us. I think a kid with a good amount of interest and drive on their own will do fine. Others probably won’t be inspired. In the grand scheme of kid activities, I’d put Crenshaw’s gymnastics classes in the average category.

We love Crenshaws! My son wakes up every morning asking if it’s a Crenshaws day. The preschool program is awesome allowing not only academic and art times, but also swim and gym time. The staff is top quality and very helpful. I have 3 young children and they’re always very helpful when I have to bring the whole crew. In a time when good childcare is hard to find, it’s priceless to have found a place that offers GREAT childcare and I know I can trust my kids in their very capable hands. Thank you so much, Crenshaws, for not letting me have to lower my standards.

We have been sending our daughter here for a few summers to participate in Crenshaws various camps. She loves it here. This year she took gymnastics and swimming.
The staff always is friendly and helpful. They even get to go on field trips such as going bowling or to the Childrens Museum.
Nice way to break up the summer for the kids in a healthy fun way.