How to Choose a Martial Arts School (Without Getting Ripped Off)

I've visited over 100 martial arts schools in my career. Some were exceptional. Many were mediocre. A few were genuinely harmful to children.

As a 3rd-generation instructor with a family lineage dating back to 1976, I'm going to share what most school owners never will: how to tell the difference before you sign a contract.

Yes, I run a school. And yes, this guide might help you choose a competitor over us. I'm okay with that. Because every child deserves a great martial arts experience, and a bad one can turn them off for life.

🚩 7 Red Flags to Watch For

1. Long-term contracts with no trial period

Any school confident in its program will let you try before you buy. If they're pushing a 12-month contract on day one, they know their retention depends on legal obligation, not quality.

2. Belt promotions on a fixed schedule

If every child tests for a new belt every 2 months regardless of skill, the school is selling belts — not teaching martial arts. Legitimate progression is skill-based, not calendar-based.

3. The "Black Belt Club" upsell

This is a classic industry tactic: charge an extra fee for a "special" program that's essentially the same training with a fancier name. If the core program isn't enough, that's a problem.

4. No parent observation

If you can't watch your child's class, ask why. Transparency is non-negotiable. At minimum, you should be able to observe from a designated area.

5. Instructor credentials are vague

Ask about lineage. Ask who their teacher is. A legitimate martial artist can trace their training lineage back to a recognized master. Vague answers like "I've been training for 15 years" without specifics are a red flag.

6. Class sizes are enormous

A ratio of more than 15:1 (students to instructor) means your child is getting crowd management, not instruction. Quality schools keep ratios manageable or have assistant instructors.

7. No character development component

If every class is 100% physical with zero discussion of respect, perseverance, or emotional management, the school is teaching fighting — not martial arts. There's a significant difference.

✅ 5 Green Flags That Signal Excellence

1. The instructor knows every student's name

Simple but telling. If the head instructor greets your child by name and remembers details about their life, the school values relationships over revenue.

2. Students help each other

Watch a class. Are upper belts helping lower belts? Do students encourage each other after mistakes? The culture of a school tells you more than the marketing ever will.

3. Parents are partners, not spectators

Great schools involve parents in the journey — through regular updates, take-home activities, or family events. Your child's development shouldn't stop at the door.

4. The curriculum has clear milestones

Ask to see the curriculum. A quality school has a documented progression path with specific skills at each level. If the instructor can't articulate what your child will learn in the next 3 months, they're winging it.

5. They encourage you to visit other schools

A confident school wants you to compare. If an owner says "go check out other places — then come back," they know their product stands up to scrutiny.

12 Questions to Ask on Your First Visit

1. What is your instructor's martial arts lineage?
2. What is your student-to-instructor ratio?
3. Can I observe a full class before enrolling?
4. How do you determine when a child is ready for belt promotion?
5. What does your character development curriculum look like?
6. How do you handle children who struggle or get frustrated?
7. What's your cancellation policy?
8. Do you offer a free trial class?
9. How do you communicate with parents about progress?
10. What additional fees should I expect beyond tuition?
11. How long has your school been in this community?
12. Can I speak with current parents about their experience?

Our Approach at NEXTStep

I'm biased, obviously. But here's what we offer: a 3-generation Taekwondo lineage dating to 1976, free trial classes with zero obligation, parent observation always welcome, skill-based promotions, and a S.E.K.L. framework that integrates character development into every session. We'd love for you to visit — and we genuinely encourage you to visit other schools too.