Your Questions Answered
As the head instructor, I believe parents deserve direct and honest answers when choosing an activity for their child. I’ve built this page to provide clear information about our programs, our teaching philosophy, and what you can expect from our school.
Below, you will find answers to common questions about our classes and our methods for building Discipline, Leadership, Character, and Athleticism. My goal is to give you the facts you need to decide if our structured program is the right fit for your family here in North Tonawanda.
Getting Started & Your First Class
Your first class is a structured introduction to our training methods. After a proper warm-up, one of my instructors will personally guide you through the foundational stances, blocks, and strikes of Kenpo. The entire class is taught at a pace that is appropriate for a beginner. There is no sparring or advanced activity. The goal is to provide a safe, supervised environment where you can learn the basics correctly from day one.
Yes. I believe a single class is not enough to truly evaluate a program. That is why we have a 4-week introductory trial for $49. This allows you and your child to experience our classes, meet our instructors, and see the results for yourself without a long-term commitment. It is the most effective way to determine if our school is the right fit for your family.
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled class time. This allows us to welcome you properly, provide a tour of the school, and introduce you to your instructor. My standard is to ensure every new student is fully prepared and comfortable before stepping onto the training floor.
For the very first day, simple, comfortable athletic clothing is acceptable. As part of our 4-week trial, we provide every new student with an official uniform, called a gi. Wearing the uniform is part of the discipline and respect that we instill in our program.
This is precisely why many parents seek out our program. We don’t expect children to arrive with perfect confidence or coordination. Those are the skills we teach here. My instructors are professionals trained to work with children of all personalities and athletic abilities. We provide a supportive, challenging environment where shy children learn to find their voice and less athletic children develop coordination and body control, building genuine confidence through real achievement.
Absolutely. We have a dedicated viewing area for parents, and we encourage you to watch. Observing the class is the best way for you to see our teaching methods, the structured environment, and your child’s progress firsthand. It allows you to be an active part of their development.
Getting Started & Your First Class
Your first class is a structured introduction to our training methods. After a proper warm-up, one of my instructors will personally guide you through the foundational stances, blocks, and strikes of Kenpo. The entire class is taught at a pace that is appropriate for a beginner. There is no sparring or advanced activity. The goal is to provide a safe, supervised environment where you can learn the basics correctly from day one.
Yes. I believe a single class is not enough to truly evaluate a program. That is why we have a 4-week introductory trial for $49. This allows you and your child to experience our classes, meet our instructors, and see the results for yourself without a long-term commitment. It is the most effective way to determine if our school is the right fit for your family.
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled class time. This allows us to welcome you properly, provide a tour of the school, and introduce you to your instructor. My standard is to ensure every new student is fully prepared and comfortable before stepping onto the training floor.
For the very first day, simple, comfortable athletic clothing is acceptable. As part of our 4-week trial, we provide every new student with an official uniform, called a gi. Wearing the uniform is part of the discipline and respect that we instill in our program.
Absolutely. We have a dedicated viewing area for parents, and we encourage you to watch. Observing the class is the best way for you to see our teaching methods, the structured environment, and your child’s progress firsthand. It allows you to be an active part of their development.
This is precisely why many parents seek out our program. We don’t expect children to arrive with perfect confidence or coordination. Those are the skills we teach here. My instructors are professionals trained to work with children of all personalities and athletic abilities. We provide a supportive, challenging environment where shy children learn to find their voice and less athletic children develop coordination, building genuine confidence through real achievement.
Programs, Style & Curriculum
We have specific, structured programs designed for different developmental stages to ensure the curriculum is appropriate for every student. Our Lil’ Dragons program is for children ages 4 and 5, focusing on developing coordination, balance, and the ability to follow instructions. Following that, our core Youth Program for ages 6 to 12 is where we build character and teach the full Kenpo curriculum. For students aged 13 and older, our Teen and Adult program centers on advanced practical self-defense, fitness, and leadership.
Our primary system is American Kenpo Karate. Kenpo is not a sport; it is a highly effective and logical self-defense system designed for real-world application. We supplement this with training in Modern Arnis for weapons defense and offer a competitive Sport Karate track for students who wish to test their skills in a tournament setting.
Yes. Our curriculum is the foundation of our school. It is a detailed, step-by-step training progression that guides a student from their first day to Black Belt and beyond. Just as in the military, our training plan is proven, purposeful, and designed to produce consistent results. It develops not only technical skill but also the core tenets of our DLC+A framework.
Promotions are earned, never just given for attendance. A student becomes eligible for testing when they can demonstrate consistent proficiency in three areas: technical skill, personal conduct (character and discipline), and a strong work ethic. My instructors provide continuous feedback to every student, so they always know the exact standards and what they need to work on. The test is a formal evaluation to confirm the student has met that standard.
I never charge for stripes or in‑class evaluations — all of that is included in your tuition. We do hold two formal belt tests each year, one in the winter and one in the summer, hosted at an event center so families can celebrate their students’ progress in a special setting. These formal testing events typically range from $50 to $100, depending on venue and event requirements.
Schedules, Pricing & Memberships
We offer a full schedule of classes Monday through Saturday to accommodate the needs of busy families. We have classes available in both the morning and evening. Consistent training is key to progress, and our schedule is designed to help our students maintain that consistency. You can view the complete, up-to-date schedule at our front desk.
We believe in complete transparency with our program costs. The best place to start is our 4-week introductory trial for $49. This provides a complete uniform and allows you to experience our school without any other commitment. After the trial, we will provide you with a clear and simple overview of our membership options so you can choose the one that is right for your family.
Yes. We offer discounted membership rates for multiple members of the same family. We believe martial arts can be a powerful activity for families to share, and we support this by making it more accessible for households with more than one student training with us.
We understand that occasional absences due to illness or important obligations are unavoidable. While regular attendance is critical for development, we do permit students to make up a missed class. Please speak directly with an instructor to schedule an appropriate time to ensure continuity in training.
To pause or cancel a membership, we require a 30-day written notice. This notice can be submitted in person at the front desk or via email. This standard procedure allows us to properly manage our class rosters and maintain the high quality of instruction our students expect.
Schedules, Pricing & Memberships
We offer a full schedule of classes Monday through Saturday to accommodate the needs of busy families. We have classes available in both the morning and evening. Consistent training is key to progress, and our schedule is designed to help our students maintain that consistency. You can view the complete, up-to-date schedule at our front desk.
We believe in complete transparency with our program costs. The best place to start is our 4-week introductory trial for $49. This provides a complete uniform and allows you to experience our school without any other commitment. After the trial, we will provide you with a clear and simple overview of our membership options so you can choose the one that is right for your family.
Yes. We offer discounted membership rates for multiple members of the same family. We believe martial arts can be a powerful activity for families to share, and we support this by making it more accessible for households with more than one student training with us.
We understand that occasional absences due to illness or important obligations are unavoidable. While regular attendance is critical for development, we do permit students to make up a missed class. Please speak directly with an instructor to schedule an appropriate time to ensure continuity in training.
To pause or cancel a membership, we require a 30-day written notice. This notice can be submitted in person at the front desk or via email. This standard procedure allows us to properly manage our class rosters and maintain the high quality of instruction our students expect.
Safety, Location & Special Programs
Our school is located at 525 Wheatfield St Ste 25, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 in North Tonawanda, NY. We are centrally located and easily accessible for families in Wheatfield, Amherst, and the surrounding Niagara County area. There is ample, well-lit parking available for our members.
Safety is my number one priority, full stop. Our training environment is built on the same principles of disciplined safety I learned in the Army. All classes are conducted on professional-grade padded flooring and are supervised by certified instructors at all times. While any physical activity has inherent risks, our structured, step-by-step curriculum and strict enforcement of rules result in a far lower injury rate than most common youth sports.
Yes, but only when they have earned the privilege. Sparring is a tool for advanced students to test their skills in a controlled environment. It is only introduced after a student has demonstrated mastery of the fundamentals and the self-control to practice safely. At that time, school-approved safety equipment is mandatory. We will inform you when your child has reached this stage in their training.
Yes. We offer seasonal camps during school breaks and a structured after-school program that includes transportation from select local schools. Both programs integrate our martial arts training with activities specifically designed to reinforce our core values of Discipline, Leadership, and Character.
We do offer martial arts-themed birthday parties. They provide a unique and active experience for children, including a supervised mini-lesson and board breaking. Our staff manages the event from setup to cleanup. Please contact the front desk directly for scheduling availability and details.
Our policy is straightforward. For inclement weather, we follow the closure decisions of the North Tonawanda City School District. All important announcements, including holiday schedules and weather closures, are communicated directly to parents via email and text message. We also post updates on our official social media page for your convenience.