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Red Sun Academy

4.8 ★★★★★ 23 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Raleigh, North Carolina

Taekwondo school Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • Membership memberships run around $65/mo — many schools also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule redsunacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 919-210-8888

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 pm
Tuesday 5–8:30 pm
Wednesday 5–8:30 pm
Thursday 7–8:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 11 am–12:30 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 Red Sun Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 16 mentions

“It’s no less amazing that my son (age 7) and I (age 38) have been able to progress at a similar rate, giving us an experience that I’ll cherish for years to come.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

👤 Private Lessons 3 mentions

“When I started, I was a complete beginner, so I took private lessons to get personalized instruction.”

All schools that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 10 mentions

“My wife and I have identified a number of benefits in addition to learning about martial arts and self defense.”

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 Red Sun Academy — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🎽 Karate 5 mentions

“Amy the instructor has developed Jo Kwon Chi, which is a mix of Tae Kwon Jo, Karate and Tai Chi.”

Other schools that also teach karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 9 mentions

“My wife and I have identified a number of benefits in addition to learning about martial arts and self defense.”

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 23 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Great 'family' feeling, friendly people, students help each other out, and instructor/sensei works really well with students at all levels (including me as a newbie) .”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 15 mentions

“Great 'family' feeling, friendly people, students help each other out, and instructor/sensei works really well with students at all levels (including me as a newbie) .”

📘 strong forms & technique 2 mentions

“All the students and assistant instructors are very supportive and helpful with learning open hand and weapons techniques.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“These benefits include improved balance, movement, coordination, timing, flexibility and conditioning.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My son's last Sensei was very disrespectful to some of his student's (including my son), and played favorites when it came to awarding belts.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Overall, I learned a great deal and look forward to participating in another class here.”

From the reviews

I began martial arts training at Red Sun Academy in July 2024. When I started, I was a complete beginner, so I took private lessons to get personalized instruction. Nowadays, I do a mix of private and group classes, and I love them both.

★★★★★ — John, Mar 2025

My wife and I started classes at Red Sun Academy approximately 9 months ago. It has been a very positive experience! The sensei is a highly skilled teacher who is dedicated to helping her students develop. She is assisted by a few senior members who willingly share their knowledge and experience.

★★★★★ — Alex, Sep 2023

This is an incredible martial arts school. The core of this school is character and family building all whole learning self defense. It is a great place to train for the entire family. Lots of parents take their kids and end up taking classes as well. The level of attention you will receive here is second to none.

★★★★★ — Rafael, Feb 2019

I participated in a self defense class at Red Sun Academy and loved it. Several of the participants - myself included - has trouble finding the location, but it was a great experience once the class started. Amy, the instructor and owner, was very engaging and personable.

★★★★☆ — Rs, Sep 2014

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 23 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at Red Sun Academy

Red Sun Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first taekwondo class at Red Sun 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 Red Sun Academy

9950 Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC27614

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.