Seattle Gymnastics Academy - Columbia City

★Savannah Palma

Both of my daughters have been going to SGA CC since they were toddlers and only breaking during Covid. The recent firing of three coaches for the most insane reason has left my oldest daughter heartbroken and struggling to decide if she wants to continue with the competition season. She has worked so hard to get this far and I used to feel safe sending her there but I don’t anymore. Hailey, Jayme & Lindsey built something special, they were the heart of SGA Columbia City. The president has made it known that every family is just a transaction.

★David Martin

Generally, the coaches are great. We have been at SGA in Columbia City for 4 years. Coach J took an active interest in developing my kid's ability starting at 4 years old and now she is an Xcel athlete. Coach H was my kid's favorite teacher. However, the SGA president fired both these wonderful coaches due to her 1950s puritanical morals. The coaches that the kids love the most are now gone. Given that this was done in the middle of competition season, the athletes' safety and well-being are harmed. SGA's senior leadership is awful and stuck in the past. We had such wonderful experiences with the coaches. It's a shame that SGA leadership does not listen to the concerns of the parents. Until SGA has new leadership, I recommend parents look for a better venue to foster their children's interests in gymnastics.

★Kevin Curry

Updating from 5 stars to 1 based on a recent experience with the competition team. My daughter was thriving under the tutelage of some amazing coaches, who were fired mid-season without an explanation from management. The whole situation was handled extremely poorly, and I have lost confidence that leadership is in place that can handle the demands of running this business and keep our kids safe. Will update again if things change to help me regain faith in the leadership team.

★★★★★Christine McKay

We have been at SGA for 5+ years - multiple kids, multiple classes/teachers, and different levels. I appreciate the kind, supportive environment that SGA strives to facilitate for their students. The classes strike an excellent balance between fun, activity, and building new skills. I’m so grateful that we live close by, especially during the dark winter months- definitely helps my kids get their wiggles out and has grown their love of gymnastics.

★Tommy Kwong

Disappointing experience after three years with SGA My 7-year-old daughter has been taking gymnastics lessons with Seattle Gymnastics Academy for about three years. She started at the Burien location and later transferred to the Columbia City gym when she joined the XCEL Team program this July, coached by Hailey and Lindsey. The program costs around $700 per month for 3-hour practices twice a week, so we expected a positive and supportive experience. Unfortunately, after a few months on the XCEL team, my daughter began to lose interest in attending class. She said her coach was "not very nice" and that she often felt singled out, which completely took the fun out of gymnastics for her. We even paid an additional $1,200 Competition Fee Deposit for an upcoming competition, plus another $300 for the required competition leotard, warm-up jacket, and team backpack, which makes this experience even more disappointing. We don't mind the costs -- as long as it brings joy to her life and she remains passionate about it. Unfortunately, that excitement is gone. I don't believe my daughter has lost interest in gymnastics as a sport -- she still practices her routines and does cartwheels at home -- but the fact that she no longer wants to attend practice tells me this has everything to do with SGA and her experience there. I truly hope SGA takes a closer look at how some of their coaches, including Hailey and Lindsey, interact with younger athletes. Encouragement and kindness make all the difference -- especially for kids at this age and level.