Before You Choose a Martial Arts School: Ask Who Is Teaching Your Child
Updated: Sep 3
When parents look for a martial arts school, they usually start with a few basic questions:
How much does it cost?How close is it to home?What days are classes?Is there a special or free trial?
Those are all important questions.
But there is another question that may be even more important:
Who is actually teaching your child?
A martial arts instructor can have a tremendous influence on a student. Children may spend years learning from the same instructors, looking to them for guidance in confidence, discipline, respect, perseverance, and leadership.
Parents deserve to know the experience and qualifications of the people filling that role.
At HighKix Martial Arts in Latrobe, PA, we believe martial arts credentials should never be something parents simply have to take on faith.
They should be documented. They should be explainable. And they should be verifiable.
A Black Belt Is Only the Beginning
To someone new to martial arts, seeing a black belt can automatically suggest expertise.
But martial arts ranks go far beyond simply wearing a belt.
Students progress through years of training, testing, instruction, and increasingly difficult requirements. Advanced instructors may spend decades studying their art.
That's why it is completely reasonable for parents to ask:
Who awarded the instructor's rank?
What martial art is the rank in?
When was the rank earned?
What organization or instructor issued the certification?
Can that training history be verified?
A professional martial arts instructor should be comfortable answering those questions.
Parents aren't being disrespectful by asking.
They're being informed consumers.
Rank Should Represent Years of Work
At HighKix, we teach our students that rank is earned, not simply given.
Students don't receive promotions because enough time has passed.
They are expected to demonstrate their techniques, forms, one-steps, self-defense, sparring skills, physical conditioning, knowledge, attitude, and character appropriate to their level.
As students reach the Black Belt and Master levels, expectations continue to increase.
A higher rank should represent greater knowledge, experience, responsibility, teaching ability, and understanding of martial arts—not simply a number embroidered on a belt.
That is one reason we believe instructor credentials matter.
Ask About Teaching Experience Too
Rank is important, but rank by itself doesn't automatically make someone a great teacher.
Parents should also look at how a school actually works with its students.
Watch a class.
Are instructors actively teaching?
Are students receiving corrections?
Are techniques being taught safely?
Is there structure without constant yelling?
Are advanced students held to higher standards?
Are younger students taught in a way appropriate for their age?
Does the instructor explain why students are doing something rather than simply telling them to copy movements?
Good martial arts instruction combines knowledge with the ability to communicate that knowledge.
Safety Should Be Easy to See
Your child's safety should never be an afterthought.
When visiting a martial arts school, look beyond the advertising and watch what actually happens on the floor.
At HighKix, we believe classes should be:
Safe. Structured. Family-friendly.
Parents should feel comfortable asking about instructor qualifications, background checks, sparring rules, equipment, supervision, and how the school handles students of different ages and experience levels.
A good school shouldn't be bothered by those questions.
It should welcome them.
Beware of Choosing a School Based Only on Price
Back-to-school specials, discounted tuition, free uniforms, and introductory offers can certainly make trying martial arts easier.
But martial arts isn't like choosing which store has a product on sale this week.
You're choosing the people who may teach your child for years.
A $20 or $30 difference in price shouldn't be the only factor when comparing schools.
Consider the complete picture:
Instructor qualifications
Documented training history
Teaching experience
Safety
Class structure
Curriculum
School culture
Expectations for advancement
How instructors interact with students
Whether your child actually enjoys being there
A great martial arts program should provide value long after an introductory promotion ends.
Parents Should Never Be Afraid to Ask
One of the healthiest things parents can do when considering a martial arts school is ask questions.
A few good ones include:
“Who did you train under?”
“How long have you practiced martial arts?”
“Who awarded your current rank?”
“What organization are your certifications through?”
“How does your ranking system work?”
“What qualifications do the instructors teaching children's classes have?”
You aren't expected to understand every martial arts organization or certification.
You're simply looking for openness and transparency.
The answers should make sense, and instructors should be willing to discuss their training history.
Our Philosophy at HighKix
HighKix Martial Arts has served families in the Latrobe area with one central idea:
Martial arts should help students become better both inside and outside the school.
We want our students to improve their fitness and martial arts ability, but we also want them to develop confidence, discipline, focus, leadership, and character.
And we believe the instructors asking students to meet those standards should be willing to hold themselves to a high standard as well.
That's why we are proud to say:
Certified. Experienced. Verifiable.
Parents should know who is teaching their children.
And they should never have to feel uncomfortable asking.
See HighKix for Yourself
The best way to choose a martial arts school isn't by looking at an advertisement.
Come watch us teach.
Meet the instructors. Ask questions. See how our students train and experience the HighKix atmosphere for yourself.
HighKix Martial Arts2034 Main DriveLatrobe, PA 15650724-537-8289
Kids • Teens • Adults • Lil Ninjas starting at age 4
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