Altius Building

Philosophy

Why Gymnastics?

Set your child on a path to life-long fitness! Along with developing strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility, children in gymnastics learn the joy of moving their bodies. Beyond the physical benefits, students learn the important life lessons of perseverance, respect, and courage. 

Why Altius?

Altius has trained gymnasts and cheerleaders for over 25 years. Our small class ratios, caring instructors, and state-of-the-art facility combine to create a fun, safe, positive environment for your child.

Our Goal.

We are committed to helping our students develop an enthusiasm for physical activity that lasts a lifetime. Our goal is to create a fun and inspirational experience for all children.

At Altius, our curriculum is designed to develop you child in three important areas. Once children gain a foundation of movement in gymnastics, they are well prepared to take on future challenges in sports and in life!

Physical Coordination, Strength, Balance, Flexibility, Poise, Agility
Cognitive Following directions, Concentration, Listening Skills, Goal setting
Social & Emotional Fun, Making friends, Confidence, Accomplishment

Facility

Our 20,300 square foot facility features the latest in state-of-the-art equipment. Altius was designed with your child's safety in mind. Multiple training stations, trampolines, and in-ground foam and resi-pits ensure a safe, progressive training environment. Altius is conveniently located two blocks south of 51st and Ryan Road in the Franklin Business Park.

  • Clean, open waiting area with spectator seating
  • Air conditioning throughout the facility
  • Multi-purpose room for Kindergym, Parties, and Pilates
  • Two spring floors, cheer floor, and tumble strip areas
  • 2 traditional trampolines, 28 foot tumble trac, and 20 foot air trac
  • 2 large in-ground training pits with foam and resi-mat areas
  • Pro shop featuring the area's largest leotard selection

Staff

The Altius staff is a group of gymnastics, cheer, and fitness professionals dedicated to helping each child realize their full potential. Our staff is our biggest asset! Staff accreditations include:

  • USA Gymnastics Safety Certification
  • CPR and First Aid Certification
  • Professional Development Level 1 Accreditation
  • KAT - Kindergym Teaching Accreditation
  • MELPD - Movement education and lesson plan development certification
  • Annual USA Gymnastics Congress participants
    US Elite Coaches Association Member Club
  • USA Gymnastics Member Club
  • American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors member
  • USA Gymnastics Safety certification

Coaching Staff

Mike Robb:  has a B.S. in Human Kinetics from UWM.  Mike is a former gymnast and has been coaching since 1976.  Mike is the general manager and a Cheernastics coach.

Jill Schrimpf: is a former Altius level 9 gymnast and has been coaching for over 10 years.  Jill graduated in 2002 with a degree in marketing and history from UW-Madison.  Jill  works in marketing, coaches Competitive Team,  Kindergym and produces the Kindergym lesson plans.

Bill Wall: has over 25 years of coaching experience, 12 of them at American Academy in IL coaching Elite level gymnasts. He has also participated in a Russian gymnastics exchange program.  Bill has a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering.  Bill is our team consultant, working with all levels of team.

Ronnie Caliva:  has over 15 years coaching experience.  Ronnie was a club gymnast and competed for UW-Oshkosh.  Ronnie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She coaches Competitive Team, produces lesson plans and coaches Progressive classes.

Ann Kanelos:  has been coaching at Altius for over eleven years.  Ann teaches Kindergym, and coaches Level 4 team.

Annet Proudian:  was an Elite gymnast in the 1980s.  Annet has been coaching at Altius for over 10 years. Annet teaches Progressive classes and works at parties and field trips.

Brandon Robb: is a business student at UWM. He coaches Progressive classes and Boys Team.  He also works parties and special events.

Lisa Hanson: is a former Altius Level 8 gymnast and ACE cheerleader.  Lisa has 5 years of dance and 4 years of cheerleading experience.  Lisa coaches Cheer Fundamentals and Progressive classes.

Missy Juleen:  is a former Altius Level 9 gymnast.  Missy has been coaching for over 8 years.  She coaches Training Squad and Competitive Team, and has been with Altius for 13 years.

Shelly Swiderski:  is a former Altius Level 9 gymnast and has been coaching for over 6 years.  Shelly teaches Kindergym, Progressive classes, and Level 3 team.

Lon Arfsten: has been coaching gymnastics in Wisconsin for over 40 years.  He coaches Level 4 team and Training Squads.

Laura Scheible: is a former level 7 gymnast. She graduated in 2010 with her bachelors in exercise science and will graduate in 2012 with her doctorate in physical therapy. She teaches progressive classes and birthday parties.

AJ Vermiglio: AJ was a level 10 gymnast and now coaches the boys team and progressive classes. He is currently a student a UWM, studying accounting.

Jackie Wild: has a BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. She has been teaching dance and movement since 1983. Having coached pre-school gymnastics in Kansas City for the last three years, she is excited to coach kindergym and girls levels 1 and 2 here at Altius.

Cheer staff

Allie Kalinowski: has 10 years experience in cheerleading, dance and cheernastics tumbling,  Allie is coaching the Altius Cheer Elite (ACE) teams.

Dayna Mulqueen: was a level 9 gymnast. She has extensive cheerleading experience including 4 years on her varsity high school squad and cheering at UW-Madison.  Dayna graduated from Madison in 2003 with a degree in Social Welfare and Spanish, and has been coaching the Altius Cheer Elite (ACE) teams since 2004. Dayna currently works as a psychotherapist at Aurora Phsychiatric Hospital

Office and Management

Lauren Robb: is the Altius IT Manager. She has a BA from UW-Madison and a Masters in Information Science from Dominican University. Lauren is a former Altius gymnast and she also organizes the Parents' Night Out program.

Nancy Swiderski: is an Altius receptionist and handles billing issues.

Jane Schrimpf: is a former elementary teacher and supervisor. Jane's focus areas are Program Director, Meet Director, Pro Shop Manager and Facilities Coordinator.