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JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA

4.9 ★★★★★ 121 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Palatine, Illinois

Taekwondo school Olympic / WT Kukkiwon-certified Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Sparring

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

  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 13) — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
  • Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule palatinemartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (847) 705-8714

Hours

Monday 11 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–9 PM
Thursday 11 AM–8 PM
Friday 12–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and tournaments — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 32 mentions

“I truly believe this is a great place for young children to learn the basics of martial arts while also having fun in a kid-friendly environment.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

Teens

“He is graduating high school this year.”

All schools that run teens →

🥊 Sparring 2 mentions

“Higher belts/older age get to use sparring equipment which is a great time to watch.”

All schools that run sparring →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Really nice place for kids learning self defense skills.”

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 JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Really nice place for kids learning self defense skills.”

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 121 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 15 mentions

“I truly believe this is a great place for young children to learn the basics of martial arts while also having fun in a kid-friendly environment.”

📘 strong forms & technique 3 mentions

“I truly believe this is a great place for young children to learn the basics of martial arts while also having fun in a kid-friendly environment.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My son really loves coming here, and I have personally noticed a lot of positive changes in his confidence since he started taking classes.”

certified & recognized school 6 mentions

“Both Mr & Mrs Master Wood have the patience and the experience to work with our crazy littles and we have seen all they can achieve over the past year!”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Teaching little kids is not easy, and their pricing is much more affordable than many other places.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 22 mentions

“They foster a family-friendly environment that encourages discipline, respect, and perseverance, all while making training fun and engaging.”

From the reviews

We love JP Wood Martial Arts!! I have seen such confidence and growth in my 5 year old. I love how the instructors interact with the kids and really form great relationships with their students.

★★★★★ — Sheila, Feb 2025

My son Billy and I started Taekwondo at JP Woods in 2013 and we love it.! I highly recommend them! we especially look forward to sparring!

★★★★★ — Bob, May 2024

J.P. Wood Martial Arts in Palatine is awesome! This school is highly professional, innovative, exciting and family oriented. It is perfect for everyone who is looking for something challenging both mentally and physically, yet so fun 🤩 at the same time. The masters and the instructors are the BEST!

★★★★★ — Albina, Feb 2024

I would like to offer my highest level of recommendation for the JP Wood Martial Arts Studio. I moved my family here and had to transfer my 6 year old's training and JP Wood was amazing with evaluating my son's experience level, properly placing him in the correct level, and guiding him in adapting to the JP Wood way.

★★★★★ — Matt, Dec 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 121 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA

JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA

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 JP WOOD MARTIAL ARTS AMERICA

249 E Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL60067

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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.