Beginning the Search

TIPS ON CHOOSING A SCHOOL

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BEGINNING THE SEARCH

DETERMINING THE STYLE YOU WISH TO LEARN

VISITING A SCHOOL

TALK TO THE TEACHER

STAFF

TALK TO THE STUDENTS

TEACHER’S EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

EXAMINE THE PROGRAM & SCHEDULE

SAFETY ISSUES

BUSINESS ASPECTS

TUITION

- Beginning the search -

Spend some time researching what is available in your area and compile enough information to make the decision that is right for you. There are many schools in Whatcom County to choose from and each has something unique to offer. Some schools are more traditional while others are more contemporary; some are smaller in class size and some are quite large; some are independent programs and rent space, for example at the YMCA; and some are commercial business franchises and own buildings with state-of-the-art amenities. Every characteristic has its benefits and drawbacks and it’s up to you to find what appeals to you and suits your needs.

Helpful places to begin your search are places such as this –the Internet. You can check the phone book yellow pages. Asking around is another method of finding out what is available in the community. Invariably, someone always knows somebody who does Martial Arts. Word of mouth does wonders and reputations are what they are.

Make a checklist to help you screen prospective schools.
To weed out any unsatisfactory schools from the get-go, for a nominal fee you can perform business background checks on the Internet. Check with the Better Business Bureau of Washington to see if a business is safe and well run. Make sure it doesn’t have any “black eyes” such as lawsuits or court judgment filings. Check with the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce too.

Start making phone calls. Often when you call, class may be in session and the instructor is occupied. A student or school manager may field your call. Ask to have the instructor call you back at a designated time. Once you speak with the instructor ask how he would characterize the school. (You may wish to ask this question early on. Reason being, the instructor may want to know what YOUR reason is to learn Martial Arts first so he can then mold the answer into a description of how his school will fit your goal.)

Note that some schools can be classified as a “family school,” which are very socially oriented and an activity the entire family can enjoy in the same class. Some schools are “sport” oriented and emphasize competition. Some schools are traditional and focus much time and attention on historical forms and classical techniques. Some schools are attentive to the combative side of training and engage in sparring and scenario-based self-defense.

Some schools defy an easy, overall categorization because they divide and compartmentalize their program. This is so they can address a particular area of training at a routinely scheduled time (for example: sport fighting & sparring, street defensive tactics, classical art, cardio-kickboxing, weapons training, women’s self-defense, etc).

Some schools may try to sell you, and the information they provide will direct you only to their school regardless of whatever question you ask. If the instructor tries to convince you the school is the right choice for everyone no matter what their goals are, this isn’t a good sign.

When investigating a potential school always ask if you can watch a class. Teachers have various attitudes about outsiders viewing their school. Some are open and comfortable with it. Some feel the school is a private facility meant only for enrolled students and do not wish to subject them to outside scrutiny. Some feel you will not understand what is being taught because you have no working knowledge and hands-on experience with what you may see. These notions are unjust because even if you do not comprehend technical information, a layman can still discover the structure and quality of a class at hand through simple observation.

Often a school’s protocol is to have a prospective student set an appointment and sample the teachings via a private lesson at no obligation. Absolutely partake in a trial session as long as it‘s understood there is no hard sell afterward. Next ask if you can watch a session at a time of your choice. If the teacher forbids you to observe the group after a trial class, you will only have a less clear impression of what group sessions at the school are like.

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