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Carolina Martial Arts Academy

5 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Summerville, South Carolina

Taekwondo school Olympic / WT Kukkiwon-certified Free trial Affiliated Kids & teens

Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo · Kukkiwon-certified — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →

Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 3–7) — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
  • Website & schedule sites.google.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (843) 732-3772

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at Carolina Martial Arts Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 24 mentions

“Excellent strength, character, and community building has helped my son gain confidence & happiness through the support/patience of instructors and his experienced peers.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🐲 Little Dragons

“We have our 4 homeschooled boys ages 5-12 enrolled in Brazilian Jujitsu and Taekwondo and we love it!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“I highly recommend this school for kids who are interested in learning self defense and martial arts.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Carolina Martial Arts Academy — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“I highly recommend this school for kids who are interested in learning self defense and martial arts.”

Other schools that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 32 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert masters & instructors 2 mentions

“Galloway and Master Kirk are great instructors.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 11 mentions

“Excellent strength, character, and community building has helped my son gain confidence & happiness through the support/patience of instructors and his experienced peers.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My son loves it so much! Their instructors focus on teaching not only the martial art, but the principles that come with it that can be taken out of the school and into life!”

certified & recognized school 8 mentions

“The patience exhibited by Master Galloway with the Little Samuris class is absolutely inspiring to watch!”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“Excellent strength, character, and community building has helped my son gain confidence & happiness through the support/patience of instructors and his experienced peers.”

From the reviews

I have taken my son (7) to a lot of martial arts places but this is by far the best. Joe, one of the instructors, is so good at teaching kids and has outstanding patience. I would recommend this to everyone for their children!

★★★★★ — Sean, Jan 2021

We have loved our time at Ronin! My son with SPD has grown so much that we were able to stop his OT. I have watched my boys come out of their shells and gain confidence in everyday life in just a few months of being a part of the Ronin. The instructors are wonderful with the kids.

★★★★★ — Modern, Jan 2021

When it comes to Martial Arts - they are number "Hana" which means #1 in Korean. The instructors Mr. Galloway and Master Kirk are hands down awesome. They are great with the kids and are also personable. My family and I love it and highly recommend.

★★★★★ — Edge, Jan 2021

This is such a great martial arts school! My son loves it so much! Their instructors focus on teaching not only the martial art, but the principles that come with it that can be taken out of the school and into life!

★★★★★ — Dehlila, Jan 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 32 reviews →

Your first taekwondo class at Carolina Martial Arts Academy

Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Carolina Martial Arts Academy

100 Old Trolley Rd ste M, Summerville, SC29485

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this school? Claim your listing — it's free.