Choosing a martial arts school can be a daunting task. You want your child to be prepared with the right tools for success in life- confidence, respect, self control, balance, perseverance, and the ability to protect themselves when facing danger. Not all schools are created equal and you need to do your homework to make sure that the school you pick is a good fit for you and your child. Here is our checklist to help you find the right martial arts school:
- Do your homework! There is plenty of information available online to help you begin between verified business reviews, school websites, social media posts, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Once you've narrowed down a list of contenders, it's time to book a trial class. Any confident martial arts school will allow you to come and view a class in session or even participate in one. (Participation usually leads to signing an insurance waiver which is a good business practice.) Talking with other students and/or parents in the waiting area will also help you in obtaining decision making information.
- Once you find a school you believe will be a good fit, book a trial program. It often takes time to get a good sense of the environment so a decent trial will allow you to make sure this is a good fit for you and your child long term.
- Since martial art programs are considered longterm investments it is important to inquire about the style and how the rank system works for children versus adults. Many schools that state they specialize in kids classes often put your child in fun activity groups versus starting them on a structured path towards Black Belt. This often results in your child receiving ranks that do not exist in the primary belt system for the school. A good indication of this is "Junior Black Belt" or repeating belt colors over and over again as the child ages. In many cases this type of instruction will not benefit your child in the areas of martial arts you were hoping, they will merely be in an activity.
Some Do's and Don'ts:
DO look for verified business reviews, not just customer testimonials from a website.
DON'T commit to any school that is not willing to let you view or participate in a class before your trial.
DO speak with the main person who will be instructing your child(ren), not a sales specialist.
DON'T sign up for any long term contracts. Martial art schools are treated like gyms in the eyes of the law when it comes to memberships in NYS. Do your homework.
DO find out about membership policies for making up classes due to vacations, illnesses, etc.
DON'T fall for sign-up fees or initial investment fees, especially if they already included a free uniform in your trial program.
DO find a school that offers some flexibility in scheduling. Life happens and when you're committing to a longterm program you're going to need a school that can offer alternate training days or options to help your child stay on track.
DON'T rely on social media or hard to access video of your child's classes to keep you involved. Classes should be accessible to the parent/guardian to stay and watch. Although it is not mandatory, your support and supervision goes a long way in helping your child stay safe and feel encouraged.
