KM2A Martial Arts and Learning Center

Our daughter has attended KM2A since 3 months into Kindergarten. She started at the after school program at her elementary school, but it was very unstructured and chaotic, and she didn’t like going. The KM2A program has an established routine that works very well for her. She also participates in both the Tae Kwon Do evening programs as well as the summer and break programs. In terms of an after school program, it is pretty good. They pick her up, she finishes her homework and has a snack, and has free time to play. Then she goes into TKD and gets a good solid hour of exercise 3 days a week. The summer programs are great because they get plenty of play time outside, have fun activities, and it goes all day. I like that I am not driving all over kingdom come for summer camp drop offs and 3pm pickups.
Grand Master Kim and Mrs. Kim have really worked with us to help our daughter succeed. They see her as an individual and help her enhance her strengths and improve where necessary. Some kids need a firm structure and strong direction to focus their busy energy. Other kids need a gentle hand and consistent expectations, and to feel like it is okay to make mistakes (rules, moves, etc.) I like that this program has both, it isn’t a one size fits all. Our daughter is very sensitive and we weren’t sure at first how she would do, but she feels really good about being at KM2A and says she wants to stay in it for years.

We put our son in KM2A afterschool program thinking that a little extra structure and the discipline of learning a martial art would be good for him. We entered in mid August, 5 days a week afterschool and our son seemed to be enjoying it. He was excited to get his white belt and master Kim gave him extra chances when he had a hard time breaking the board. I believed he wanted to encourage our son to focus and do his best. Over time we noticed that we were getting complaints of our son not staying in the classroom, that he was running around the halls of the building when not allowed. We realized then that the children were not allowed any outdoor time, even though there is a gated play structure on the property. We also realized that the children were expected to come from school, get changed into uniform and do «homework» packets… no play time. We realized that the intensity of such a long day was not beneficial to our son and ended up pulling him back from 5 days to 3 days.
One day I went in early and observed the tae kwon do class and noticed master Kim screaming at the black belts for not leading the class properly. I then saw him forcably lead a small child (5−6yrs) across the floor and tell him to leave the class because he was «not paying attention» all the while the child was crying. I was talking to another parent about how intense master Kim seemed and she told me that he had pushed her child down and caused a sore ankle that previous week. At this time we were waiting for our children to change and I heard master Kim yelling at someone, I decided to check it out and saw him yelling at my child, actually screaming, «you [are] the slowest one getting ready, why [are] you so slow» over and over again. When I asked him if he was speaking to my child he yelled at me «no discipline at home». I respectfully removed my son and as we were trying to leave master Kim looked down at my son and yelled at him to put his backpack on followed by «are you handsome or ugly»… I had more than enough when I saw my child crouched, intimidated, on the floor and say «I am ugly sir»… I told him to stop.
It made me so sad as a mother, to have entrusted my child to someone I thought were safe… and yet they were absolutely not and were oblivious to the effect of their screaming and actions. My son ended up regressing with his sleep and experienced anxiety when we went back to collect a few items.
I don’t think master Kim sets out to emotionally traumatize children, but this is in fact what happened to my son. I think this happens when someone is not educated in child development… I will not make this mistake again. I would not recommend this setting for a young child, or any child.
We dis-​enrolled our son, and they didn’t even ask why, they really didn’t seem to care. We would have liked to discuss it, but it seems there is no acknowledgement of wrong doing or inappropriateness.
(I have to say the caregivers in the «classrooms» were nice, but it is master Kim’s way or nothing, he disregards anyone else’s opinion, a pediatrician, a teacher I have heard him disregard both…)

Great place for my Son. They pick him up from school, give him a snack, some activities, some much needed discipline, and Tae Kwon Do. Ms Rachel is great, Master Kim is a really good and patient teacher, and everyone there is really nice.

Don’t be put off by the negative reviews. This is a good martial arts school. Grand Master Kim knows his sport and knows how to treat people as well as children. I have been to a handful of schools, only in the smallest of schools with the smallest of classes will the master, much less a grand master, actually do all the line instruction for the class. Grand Master Kim supervises the classes closely, he knows everyone of his students not only by name — he knows their strengths and weaknesses. It is very common for him to step in and make sure students are doing their movements correctly, especially as they advance in belts. I’ve even seen him correct (and discipline) the line instructors. He is very passionate about his students but he can be very demanding at times. Tae Kwon Do is a sport which expects discipline from it’s adherents, particularly respect and deference for parents, elders, and those with high ranking. His school is not for parents or those seeking loose, «participation trophy» attitudes. Students will learn TKD, learn discipline, respect for others, self discipline and respect for themselves. Students will not garner new belts until they have learned well, hence a stripped belt demarking the halfway point in their advancement to the next level instead of a jump from one belt color to another. My own child was almost denied a belt for misbehavior, I don’t blame Master Kim in the least for withholding it until he felt my child was ready. My child ultimately got the belt but learned a valuable lesson about following rules and respecting others in the group by not talking, not creating a distraction, and instead paying attention.
The Santa Clara facility is clean and well kept and properly staffed. In addition to classes, KM2A even offer licensed after-​school day care and will collect your children directly from their school in one of their vans (with a licensed, professional driver). All parents can watch classes and Grand Master Kim and his wife (who manages the school) are always available before and after classes to discuss anything with parents. Master Kim is even fluent in Spanish. His son teaches at the Sunnyvale school so I would reckon that if his entire family is invested in this operation, they take their business very seriously and are not out for a quick buck like some might have implied in their reviews. I would like to point out that other competitors in the Bay Area TKD/​martial arts instruction community give Master Kim praise for how he runs his school.

My daughter has been attending KM2A for a year now and we absolutely love it! She is 6 years old and has learned discipline and self respect better than I could have hoped. Master Kim is a very good instructor who teaches children the importance of discipline, respect for parents, and self-​respect as well. We plan to stay with Master Kim all the way to black belt!

«You know who I am? I am Master Kim»
That’s how the «grand master Kim» coach introduces himself to the kids and their parents. Time after time after time … all he does is talk them into submission to the great «Master Kim»
We enrolled my 5 year old there for about 2 months in the Taekwondu program… I dropped in several times to see what he was doing. Well, the «Master» only talks … the 8 year old boy is the one who actually would teach my son any sort of game techniques. Two months into the training, and my son learned nothing of value, other than to fear «Master Kim».
To top it off, the coach trains all age groups together in one session … that’s my 5 year old in the same training with a 24 year old man … absolutely rediculous
Save yourself the time and money … and go to someone who understands what it means to coach little ones and inspire them … not have them «submit»
Make sure to read the flagged reviews … they’re real and honest ones that got flagged by the owners to «improve» their star ratings … very dishonest practice by the business owners … shame on you!