Answers to the questions parents ask most before starting martial arts at Mile High Karate Thornton, 3979 E 120th Ave, Thornton, CO 80233. For anything not covered here, call (303) 280-1839.

What is the best age to start karate?

Most children are ready between 4 and 6, when they can follow a short instruction and take turns. Mile High Karate runs separate classes for ages 4–6 and 7–12 so each group learns at the right pace. There is no upper limit: Mile High Karate has promoted Black Belts as old as 76.

How much do martial arts classes cost in Thornton?

Tuition depends on the program and how many classes a week a student attends, and there are several payment options. Call (303) 280-1839 for current programs and any introductory offer.

Is karate good for shy children?

Often, yes. Shy children get a structured setting with clear rules, small achievable goals and regular public recognition when they reach them — a new stripe or belt. Instructors expect students to speak up, answer clearly and make eye contact, and those habits build gradually.

Can martial arts help my child build confidence?

Confidence comes from doing hard things and succeeding. Every Mile High Karate student works toward a clear sequence of goals, from the first stripe to the Black Belt, and learns to set short-term, intermediate and long-term goals along the way. Parents regularly tell us their children carry that confidence into school.

Is martial arts good for children with ADHD?

Many parents of children with ADHD tell us structured martial arts classes help with focus and self-control, and research on martial arts and attention has found encouraging results (study, PDF). Martial arts is not a treatment; talk with your child’s doctor, and tell the instructor what works for your child.

How often should my child attend?

Two classes a week is the standard recommendation. It is enough to keep skills progressing between classes and fits most family schedules.

How long does it take to earn a Black Belt?

About 48 months of consistent training. Black Belt candidates at Mile High Karate complete informal, formal and written tests, finishing with a three-day testing retreat in Breckenridge, Colorado.

What is the difference between karate and Taekwondo?

Karate developed in Okinawa and Japan; Taekwondo is Korean. Mile High Karate’s style comes from Grand Master Jhoon Rhee’s Tae Kwon Do and has evolved into what we call American Freestyle, combining Korean kicking, traditional forms and practical self-defense. See our lineage.

Is martial arts safe for children?

Yes, when it is taught well. Classes are supervised by trained instructors, contact is controlled, and sparring uses padded safety equipment of the kind Jhoon Rhee developed for exactly that purpose. Students are taught that their skills are for self-defense only.

Can parents train with their children?

Yes. A high percentage of Mile High Karate families have one or both parents training alongside their children, and the school offers family classes.

Does Mile High Karate teach competition karate?

Students can compete in the school’s own intramural tournaments — well over 120 hosted in Thornton — and in open tournaments if they wish. Mile High Karate promoted the Mile High Karate Classic, a NASKA World Tour event, in Denver from 1989 to 1999.

Does Mile High Karate teach self-defense?

Yes. Practical self-defense is one of the three foundations of the curriculum, alongside personal development and traditional forms. The Bully Prevention and adult programs focus on it directly.

What should my child wear to the first class?

Comfortable exercise clothes such as a T-shirt and athletic pants, and a water bottle. Uniform details are covered at enrollment.

What happens during a first martial arts lesson?

The instructor meets your child, teaches a few basic techniques and school courtesies, and sets a first goal. Afterwards a program director explains how the program works and answers your questions.