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Most everyone who calls a Martial Arts school has only one question: "How much does it cost?" While this is a valid question, it really describes nothing to you, the customer. It is much like shopping for a car and only asking, "how much?" We at AKKA want you to be better informed, so you can find the best value for your dollar. Here is a list of questions so you may also see how the school actually operates and treats their students.
The style of Martial Art is important. Each style has distinct differences once you get beyond the basics of punching and kicking. There are arts that focus primarily on kicking (Tae Kwon Do), grappling (Ju Jitsu), throws (Akido) or a mixture (Kenpo).
Our style of Kenpo combines all fighting theories with a focus on stand-up self-defense, allowing students to find what best suits them. We teach in English, and the number one compliment we hear is that we bring solid Martial Arts into a fun environment for everyone.
How often do students test for a new belt? Does testing occur no matter what, regardless of proficiency? Does the whole school test at once? Or do individuals test when they are ready?
Our students (ages 8 and up) progress through the ranks of White, Gold, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, 3rd Degree Brown, 2nd Degree Brown, 1st Degree Brown, 1st Degree Black, 2nd Degree Black, up to 10th Degree Black.
Individual students at AKKA test when they have proven themselves ready and fulfilled the minimum required time in rank: generally, that's 4-6 months for the beginning ranks and six months to a year for the higher ranks.
Kenpo Tigers (ages 5-7) test for a new belt every two months.
Is the student required to know only what they just learned, or are they expected to know what they learned several belts ago as well?
To earn their next rank, our students must demonstrate their knowledge of the material from all previous ranks. Junior students (those who are ages 8-11 when they join) work on a structured junior curriculum, while adult students (ages 12 and up) work on a more extensive curriculum.
Most schools have belt testing fees. How much are they? Do they go up per belt? If so, how much?
Our fee is $30 for each test through 1st Degree Brown, which takes about three years. Testing is in two stages. Stage one is where the student is graded and passed or failed, and stage two is a community graduation amongst all five Kansas City-area AKKA schools, including self-defense application with a partner, bag work and sparring.
Kenpo Tigers' test fee is $6 per belt, with six tests per year.
There are two versions of curriculum.
One is a rotating schedule. This is where everyone learns the same thing at the same time. This means Black Belts are learning the same thing as the White Belts and vice versa. This allows one instructor to move large groups. Many times, there is no charted curriculum for this version. It is based on what the instructor wants to do that day.
The second version is belt rank specific curriculum. Here, White Belts learn what White Belts are expected to know. Gold Belts learn what Gold Belts are expected to know, and so on.
Our school has a belt rank specific curriculum. AKKA plans its curriculum a year in advance for each rank.
Most schools have them. How much do they cost? How many are you required to attend? How are participants grouped by age, rank and gender? How many categories are included (such as kata, kumite, weapons, self-defense) and how many can you participate in at the same tournament? Is there an extra cost for each category you want to enter?
We host three tournaments a year, which are open to AKKA students only. This allows for a very friendly, well-run event, where all students are encouraged to do their best while maintaining safety. Our students are required to have participated in four tournaments by the time they're ready to test for Black Belt. Which four they pick is completely up to the individual.
Competition costs about $30, and is all-inclusive. Students can compete in one or all six categories: empty-hand kata, weapons kata, partner kata, hands-on self-defense, kumite (sparring) and ju-jitsu.
Our competitors are grouped according to age and rank. We also separate men and women for kumite.
How much do they cost? What do they consist of?
Our students wear a traditional white gi top and white pants plus their belt. This costs about $35. (Indoor shoes are optional.)
School T-shirts are available for purchase to wear in place of the gi top during the summer.
Fridays and Saturdays, students may wear whatever color of gi they like.
Are you required to get a whole package at once or can you piece it in, so there's not as big an upfront cost? Most schools spar (mock combat).
Students are required to have all of their own sparring equipment by the time they test for Green Belt (about two years). AKKA also has gear available for students to borrow in class. (However, students must have their own mouthpiece and males must have a cup.) AKKA works with each student individually to find the right equipment at the right time and price for each student, which is then purchased through AKKA.
What is the level of contact? Where can students hit their opponent? Can anyone punch or kick to the head, or is that reserved for higher ranks after some practice? What are the safety protocols?
Kenpo Tigers (ages 5-7) are not allowed to make head contact and may also participate in flag sparring instead, as a means of safety.
Also, we do not allow our students during the first year to make head contact -- we spend that first year learning control. For Purple Belt through Green Belt, head contact is allowed. For Brown Belts and Black Belts, face contact is also allowed.
Instructors monitor each sparring match to ensure our students' safety. We also encourage our instructors to get CPR/first aid training once a year.
Can you come to extra classes? If so, does it cost more? Are there specialty classes? Does it cost more to attend other types of classes in the school, or is that covered in the original price?
Students are required to attend two karate classes a week. Students in our Black Belt program may come to class as often as they wish, for no extra cost. We also offer special classes that are free to our karate students: Ju Jitsu, kumite (sparring) and cardio conditioning.
Those who are only interested in Ju Jitsu may buy a 10-class punch card for $100.
Also, those who are only interested in cardio conditioning may buy a 10-class punch card for $50.
Does it cost more to join the Black Belt program? If so, why? Many schools will offer classes at a low rate only to raise their prices once you are a student. For example, you might only get a newsletter if you "upgrade" your membership. Or you may only learn weapons if you're in an upgraded version of your program. You'll only get these things by paying more. You may join the Black Belt Program but only at a higher tuition.
At AKKA, our Black Belt Club doesn't cost more. It does require a longer-term commitment. Students in our Black Belt program may come to an unlimited number of classes, and they get larger discounts on merchandise when we have sales, as well as discounts on seminars and tournaments. They also get a written manual of our material, for no extra cost.
How long does it take to get a Black Belt? What is involved along the way? It is cumulative knowledge, or is it just the Black Belt piece only? What is the Black Belt testing like? Is it local or do you travel? Where? Is it one day or several? How much is the Black Belt test?
Our students on average take about four years to get their
First Degree Black Belt. All our belt rank tests are cumulative. We hold Black Belt tests twice a year in Colorado. The test begins on a Friday afternoon and continues through Sunday afternoon. This includes an oral examination, the curriculum and a physical test as well as a public show as a celebration.
Our governing body sets the Black Belt test fee, which is currently about $350. This covers the venue rentals, meals, embroidered belts, plaques and gis.
Is the school focused on kids only? Adults only? On families? How? Is the focus on competition? Personal safety?
We welcome families and individuals to come train with us. AKKA is a balanced mixture of women, men and children. Our focus is on continual self-improvement and the specific needs and goals of the individual, through training and learning in the Martial Arts.
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