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West America Tae Kwon Do
4.9 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Mill Valley, California
Style / system: ITF (Traditional) · 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
- Membership memberships run around $30/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
- Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule westamericatkd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 415-383-4755
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“" It is a place where children can explore the tenants of taekwondo, yet learn discipline, respect, and many other important life qualities.”
“Fast forward 4 years, my daughter is a Purple belt and performs on their demo team.”
“Not only are they learning an ancient skill with self defense components, they are learning respect, focus and working towards a goal (the belt tests).”
“Not only are they learning an ancient skill with self defense components, they are learning respect, focus and working towards a goal (the belt tests).”
“I left after an all out sparring match with one of the instructors, time for me to move on elsewhere and train more.”
Other martial arts here
“Boxing, Muay Thai/Kickboxing, and TKD, Roger has an immense knowledge.”
“Not only are they learning an ancient skill with self defense components, they are learning respect, focus and working towards a goal (the belt tests).”
What students say
“West America TKD is a super safe and welcoming enviornment and the tidbits of wisdom in regards to striking that Roger drops on a day to day are the best.”
“West America TKD is a super safe and welcoming enviornment and the tidbits of wisdom in regards to striking that Roger drops on a day to day are the best.”
“West America has taught my kids resilience, confidence, friendship building and how to build trust with adults and mentors.”
“In addition to teaching TKD in an atmosphere of encouragement and striving for excellence, they all teach warm heartedness, grit and discipline - a rare mixture.”
From the reviews
This is hands down the best martial arts school I have ever experienced. I was there first in 1987, then again in 2016 and now in 2022. Sensei and all the instructors are both incredibly good martial artists and instructors. There's a very good balance of men / women and boys / girls attending the classes.
There really is no way to describe West America TKD other than a "gift." It is a place where children can explore the tenants of taekwondo, yet learn discipline, respect, and many other important life qualities. The instructors are incredibly loving and kind, and motivate children in such a positive way.
West America TKD is absolutely fantastic. They are terrific with kids of all ages and ability. I can't say enough how much of a positive impact they have had on my kids. They create a great environment for learning, discipline, and making martial arts fun. I HIGHLY recommend them! Six out of five stars!!
I can't say enough great things about West America. I first discovered them in Covid as my daughter was in preschool nearby. Each day, I witnessed kids eagerly walking towards the dojo for team practice. They were calm, parents were present, and it seemed as though they truly wanted to be there.
New to taekwondo? Start at West America Tae Kwon Do
West America Tae Kwon Do 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.
Your first taekwondo class at West America Tae Kwon Do
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.
