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World Tae Kwon Do Academy
4.7 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in San Diego, California
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo — 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 — 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 worldtaekwondoacademysd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 858-481-1211
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–6 pm |
The classes they run
“My three children have studied under Master Kim and his instructors for almost two years now.”
“I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the self-defense and sporting aspect of the martial art and those who want to improve their physical fitness and health.”
Other martial arts here
“I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the self-defense and sporting aspect of the martial art and those who want to improve their physical fitness and health.”
What students say
“Over the course of 10 years I have trained under 4 dojos in various disciplines, and I can say with confidence that Master Kim is a better instructor than all the others combined.”
“Over the course of 10 years I have trained under 4 dojos in various disciplines, and I can say with confidence that Master Kim is a better instructor than all the others combined.”
From the reviews
Master Kim and the instructors at World Taekwondo Academy are knowledgeable, skilled, and respectful. There is a community that is fostered between the students.
Over the course of 10 years I have trained under 4 dojos in various disciplines, and I can say with confidence that Master Kim is a better instructor than all the others combined. I trained here for two years, so I am speaking from experience.
I have trained Taekwondo at the World Taekwondo Academy for over three years. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the self-defense and sporting aspect of the martial art and those who want to improve their physical fitness and health.
My three children have studied under Master Kim and his instructors for almost two years now. It has been an excellent experience. I chose the studio because I had a high level of confidence with my children learning under someone who also practiced kinesiology.
New to taekwondo? Start at World Tae Kwon Do Academy
World Tae Kwon Do 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.
Your first taekwondo class at World Tae Kwon Do 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.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site