West Salem ATA Martial Arts

Please Read the full review so completely understand the program and cost.

I was at a community event and Karate for Kids had a booth. My 9 year old daughters spun the wheel and won a mouth free of training and a free uniform. Pretty much everyone get a free mouth and uniform. They set up an appointment to get the uniform and get your training started. At the appointment we got the uniform and took our daughter through the basic of bowing in and saying hello sir/hello ma'am. The provided her with a full uniform with white belt. She joined the basic class twice a week. They teach Taekwondo.

The main instructor is Mr. Clews and the owner Master Lyons. They have only instructor but Mr. Clews is the head and the person that teaches the most. The class can be as small as 10 to as many as 40 per class. Karate 4 Kids focus on disciplined, confident, and self-defense. They hold the kids accountable for their actions. If a child is messing around the instructors will deal with them. They use positive reinforcement to get the kids to work hard. They also want the kids to be ambassador in the community. So they have homework which earns them star for thing they do. Like following rules, working hard in school, chores around the house and show respect. They work with kids who are having problems and know most of the kids by name. They want all the students to become black belts and they drive that message home. The studio is large and clean. Open space and bright colors. The seating area is small and there are only two bathrooms. Parking can be hard to find due to the studio being in a strip mall.

Before our 30 trial was up we were offer to attend the black belt leadership training. After taking the class my wife and I were taking to the office to discuss our daughter future at Karate 4 Kids. This is the only thing I didn't like. The have three programs to offer. First basic which is two classes a week and costs $100 a month, minimum 6 mouth commitment. With auto bill pay and you must pay every mouth or you get fee. There are only three ways out of the contract. Moving away from a Karate 4 kids studio, permanent injury of student and the third one I can't remember. The second program is black belt training, which is $150 a mouth with a three year contract. The last is Black Belt Leadership training, which is $200 a mouth with a three year contract. The three year contract is because it takes three year to reach black belt. The offer specials if you pay the tuition in full. They throw in uniforms and gear to sweeten the pot. The deals are made on dry erases boards. So the specials are always subject to change. This whole sit down feels very high pressure. The deals they make are a one-time offer. Three year contract is a long time for a child. Like I said before if they want everyone in the black belt program. The whole program will cost after three years is $7,200. That is a lot of money for most anyone, and if your child decided that they don't like the program you are stuck with the payments. They use a third party billing company; they don't want to deal with the money. So if you don't pay someone else comes after you.

Even with the cost of the programs are high you still have a fee for graduation to the next belt, which is $75. That pays for the belt, and the visiting judges and the rest go to headquarters. A karate 4 kid is a franchise and they have to pay the fees. Graduation is held every three mouths and if you child isn't ready they still come and show there movies, for doing this they get a victory metal. Kids aren't just pushed through; they have to earn the next belt. They don't do sparring with low level belt only I believe camo belt and higher.

Overall the studio and programs are amazing; I have seen improvement in my daughter. I would recommend that everyone try out the 30 day free trial. Adult are welcome to join too. The cost and contact is the only thing you need to understand before signing up. Other than that they are one of the best place for anything to learn Taekwondo.

My kids (4 yrs and 9 yrs old) love it. I feel they have learned a lot in the 8 weeks they have been training.