HONORING TRADITION
BUILDING LEADERS
One instructor. One mission. Over 20 years of turning hesitant kids into confident leaders.
A Legacy of Excellence
NEXTStep Martial Arts was born from one instructor's personal transformation. What began as one instructor's passion for Taekwondo has grown into Gettysburg's most trusted karate and martial arts school, transforming the lives of over 1,000 students in our community.
Under Master Jay So's leadership, we combine time-honored Taekwondo and karate-style training methods with a deep understanding of what today's children need most. Our job is not to teach them not to be angry — it's showing kids what options are there when they are angry. Confidence, emotional regulation, and the belief that they can do hard things.
Every student who walks through our doors becomes part of something bigger: a supportive community committed to growth, respect, and personal excellence. We don't just build martial artists — we build humans.
Master Jay So
Founder & Head Instructor
Our Philosophy
S.E.K.L. — The four pillars that guide everything we do
Structure
Kids thrive when they know what's expected. Our clear belt progression and 8-week training cycles give students a visible path forward — and the motivation to walk it.
Emotion
Training happens best when students feel safe. We've built an environment where effort is celebrated, mistakes are learning opportunities, and every child belongs.
Knowledge
Our instructors are trained educators, not just black belts. Over 20 years of accumulated wisdom flows through every technique and life lesson we teach.
Legacy
Over 20 years of martial arts dedication means your child isn't just learning moves — they're inheriting values, discipline, and a tradition of excellence.
How We Actually Teach
These aren't buzzwords on a website. This is how our staff is trained, how our classes are structured, and how we make decisions every day.
Relationship Before Logistics
We prioritize the student-teacher and parent-studio relationship above all operational tasks. Before we talk about schedules or billing, we make sure every family feels known and supported.
The Milestone Journey
Belt progression isn't a race — it's a checklist-style milestone journey with age-based and belt-level segmentation. Every student has a clear, personalized path to follow.
Cycle Challenges
Students earn stripes not just for technique but for effort, responsibility, and consistency outside the classroom. We reward who they're becoming, not just what they can do.
Predictable Success
Our 8-week training cycle works like a school grading period — clear expectations, measurable progress, and a testing day students can prepare for with confidence.
We Don't Just Teach Here. We Show Up.
NEXTStep is woven into the fabric of Gettysburg — not just as a business, but as a partner to the families and organizations that need us most.
Head Start — Martial Arts for Kids Who Need It Most
We run free weekly martial arts classes at Head Start locations across Adams County — serving low-income children ages 3-5, many dealing with trauma and behavioral challenges.
These aren't watered-down classes. We teach the same emotional intelligence and life skills our studio students get — honesty, respect, self-control — in 30-minute sessions designed for kids who may be going through a much harder childhood than we can imagine. Every session cycle ends with a graduation ceremony at our studio — board breaking, belt ceremony, and a room full of cheering families.
“The discipline they would get from the sport — we have kids with trauma, health issues, lots of behavioral issues. Can we channel that?”
— Head Start Administrator
School Outreach
Weekly Warrior Day visits to local schools. Board breaking demos, life skills lessons, and a first taste of what martial arts can do for a child's confidence. Our CIT students lead these visits — teaching leadership by actually leading.
Giving Back Through Martial Arts
We partner with fellow studios on events like Kick Cancer Out of the World — a tournament where all proceeds go to cancer research. It's a cause close to our heart. Master Jay's father and grandfather were both lost to cancer. When the martial arts community rallies for something bigger, we're there.
From Student to Master
Master Jay started as a shy computer geek who could barely make eye contact. Martial arts changed everything — it gave him structure, confidence, and purpose. For over 20 years, he's dedicated his career to giving kids the same transformation he experienced. Every student who walks through our doors gets an instructor who knows exactly what it feels like to struggle, to doubt yourself, and to come out the other side stronger.
Teaching Since 2003
Over 20 years of professional instruction
1,000+ Students
Lives transformed through martial arts
5th Dan Black Belt
Earned through decades of dedication
Meet the Founder
Over 20 years of dedicated teaching, a lifelong martial artist, and a mission to help every student discover what they're capable of.
Master Jay So
5th Dan Black Belt • Owner & Master Instructor
Master Jay So began his Taekwondo journey at age six. What started as a way for a shy, introverted kid to build confidence became a lifelong calling. With more than two decades of professional teaching experience, he blends traditional Taekwondo values with a modern, student-centered approach that helps students thrive on and off the mats.
Since founding NEXTStep Martial Arts in 2012, Master Jay has dedicated his career to helping students build confidence, discipline, communication skills, and strong character. Known for his clear instruction, high expectations, and supportive leadership, he inspires students of all ages to take the next step in their personal growth.
Ready to Join Our Family?
There's a reason 124 families in Gettysburg rate us 5.0 stars. Experience the NEXTStep difference with a free trial class — and see why families stay for years.
Schedule Your Free TrialNo contracts. No pressure. Just 30 minutes.