Female Entrepreneurs Open Swim School for Underserved Areas

British Swim School, North America’s leading provider of water safety and survival programs, has officially opened a new location in Hyattsville, Maryland, located at 2970 Belcrest Center Dr, operating out of LA Fitness. The new school is owned by longtime friends and business partners Laetitia Lukusa and Davida John, who share a passion for community impact and empowering the next generation with essential life skills.

The Silver Spring-Hyattsville location officially opened in February, serving families throughout select communities in the District of Columbia, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County with a focus on drowning prevention and confidence-building swim instruction for children as young as three months old to adults of any age, at any stage.

“We didn’t choose this area — it truly chose us,” said Laetitia Lukusa, franchise co-owner of British Swim School of Silver Spring-Hyattsville. “Once we understood there was a need, it became very clear why we were meant to be here. Swimming is a life skill, and we want to make sure families have access to it.”

Laetitia and Davida have been friends for over a decade, having met while working together before attending business school together at the University of Maryland Global Campus. Over the years, they navigated major life milestones side by side.

Both women are mothers of young children and were drawn to British Swim School through personal experience. Laetitia first encountered the brand while working out at her local gym and quickly enrolled her daughter in lessons. That experience sparked conversations with Davida and ultimately inspired them to explore the opportunity to become franchisees themselves.

“As parents, this just made sense,” said Davida John, franchise co-owner. “Our children benefit directly, but so does the entire community. Beyond building a business, we’re helping save lives by teaching a skill that many of us didn’t have access to growing up.”

Changing Cultural Norms

As daughters of African immigrants, Laetitia and Davida are especially committed to serving diverse communities where swim education has historically been limited.

“In many cultures like ours, swimming isn’t prioritized or even encouraged,” Davida added. “Being able to change that narrative for our children and others who look like them is incredibly meaningful to us.”

The British Swim School of Silver Spring-Hyattsville offers small-group lessons taught by trained instructors using gentle, survival-focused techniques in a safe, indoor pool environment for all ages and abilities. Looking ahead, Laetitia and Davida aim to establish the school as a trusted community partner and premier swim education provider throughout select communities in Prince George’s and Montgomery County. A ribbon-cutting ceremony in partnership with the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce is planned for Spring 2026.

For more information on hours of operations and pricing, visit:

https://britishswimschool.com/silver-spring-hyattsville/location/la-fitness-hyattsville/

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