Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Martial Arts: Each location will be under Phys Ed and Humanities: Re-enactment Arts Categories
- A project is required for each class on the student's schedule.
- Additional registration at location is required.
- Students must begin classes before the end of September.
Register with your school asap in order to complete and ensure your registration for the class. All students must complete a project for this class. Ask your mentor for details.
Choose your type of martial arts: TaeKwonDo, Karate, Kickboxing, etc. Fees, policies and testing frequency varies from location to location, and the family needs to research the location they choose and determine if they will need to cover part of the experience.
This is a list of area martial arts dojos/dojangs that have been approved by the Partnership and background checked.
Benton Harbor: READY Taekwondo
R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo Fall 2025
- Grandmaster Al Smith
- 1968 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
- Contact: 269-325-2930
- Business hours: M-TH 4:15-8:15, FRI/SAT: Closed Sunday: 3-4:00
- email: grandmasteralsmith@yahoo.com
- R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo Facebook
- Classes begin week of TBA, must begin before the end of September
Before starting, check with location regarding testing dates and possible additional fees beyond what the partnership covers. Ready Taekwondo is a non-profit organization run by Grandmaster Alvin Smith, 9th degree black belt. Not only will you learn excellent martial arts skills, but the school focuses on training the whole person by focusing on discipline, respect for authority, self defense, and overall mental well being. Ready Taekwondo teaches all ages and levels, and is proud of its support of students from all ethnic and social backgrounds.
Classes will teach students proper form appropriate for their age and skill level. Physical fitness activities are a part of every classes including stretching and cardio activities, as well as strength training. Technique and martial arts skills are practiced each lesson. Some discussion time of the various tenets of taekwondo as well as topics for mental well being and respect for authority.
Taekwondo and especially R.E.A.D.Y. has shown the following benefits in student’s lives:
- Self Defense
- Mentoring
- Weight Control
- Discipline
- School Grade Improvement
- Bully Prevention
- Respect for Authority
- Obedience to Parents and Teachers
READY Taekwondo Schedule
Niles: Hong's and Legion
Hong's USA: Taekwondo Spring 2025
Website: HongsUSA.com
Phone: 269-687-5000 soonpilhong@sbcglobal.net
Location: 1118 Ontario Road, Niles
Ages: 5-18
Day/Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4:15pm - 5pm
Contact Hong's USA for start date
Grandmaster Soonpil Hong, PhD
- 9th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo through Odokwan, Jidokwan, Kukkiwon, and Korean Taekwondo Association.
- Doctorate in Physical Education/ U.S.
- Army Middleweight Boxing Champion 1984.
- Korean Taekwondo Association for the Disabled - Referee 1st Class.
- Grandmaster Instructor Licensed 1st Class - Taekwondo, Habigido, Gumdo.
- Received Best Trained US National Sparring Team Coach for US Olympic Team 1999.
- 2022 International Referee of the year at the World Police Taekwondo Championship, South Korea.
Course description: I promise you that you will earn the belts that I award you. To do so, you will demonstrate more than just physical techniques. You will also show me your willingness to help others learn what you know, your growing confidence in yourself, and the respect you have for instructors, and other students. As you progress in rank, you will learn that the belt you wear is a label – a piece of cloth that means nothing by itself. What gives your belt meaning is what has changed inside of you with each successful promotion. The higher your rank, the more I expect from you in the areas of leadership, courtesy, and respect. More importantly, the higher your rank, the more you should expect (and demand) from yourself.
Legion Martial Arts (Niles) Spring 2025
- Classes begin Monday, January 6th
- Ages 5-15 for Kids classes
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 4:30-6:00pm - 211 N. Main St. Niles
- 269-818-7297
- eddietorres09@yahoo.com
Master Edward Torres: 1st Degree Blackbelt certified under the ICTF and Mixed Martial Artist with 15 years of experience.
Master John Young: 7th Degree Blackbelt certified under the ITCF.
Course Description:
Legends Martial Arts offers a variety of martial arts. Primary curriculum for children studies in Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, and Traditional ICTF Taekwondo. The focus of various arts allows children to learn and adapt to a variety of different situations involving martial arts. Our curriculum incorporates discipline, respect, integrity and self-esteem as well as being fun and educational.
St. Joseph and Stevensville: Hyde's Lifestyle Taekwondo, Legion Fighting Alliance, Lunar and YMCA (BHSJ)
Hyde's Lifestyle Taekwondo Spring 2025
New Location: 2024 Washington Ave Suite 4, St Joseph MI
Contact: Master James Austin Hyde - 4th Degree Black Belt
Phone: 269-210-1214
Email: hydejames376@gmail.com
Grades K - 12
Classes begin January 22nd , to register email Master James at hydejames376@gmail.com or call or text 1-269-210-1214
Schedule:
Wednesday and Fridays: ages 5-9 (5:00pm), ages 10-15 (6:00pm), ages 16+ (7:00pm)
Thursdays: ages 5-15 (6:00pm)
Course Description: Taekwondo is a great program for our students to take. The program teaches our students how to be disciplined in all areas of their life. We teach our students how to have self-control, stay courteous, keep a strong perseverance, and most importantly how to have a indomitable spirit. We focus strictly on our tenets of taekwondo because in doing so we bring out the best in our students.
Hyde's Lifestyle Taekwondo Syllabus
Legion Fighting Alliance: Fall 2025
Grades: K-12
Location: 4410 N. Roosevelt Dr., Studio C, Stevensville (green building)
Contact: Johnathan Scott 269-635-3549
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Class dates: August 28th-end of semester
Day/Time: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 5:15-6:00 PM
Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial arts program designed for children that emphasizes self-defense, discipline, and physical fitness through the practice of ground fighting techniques. Tailored for younger practitioners, classes focus on developing techniques, coordination, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to teaching practical skills, kids’ BJJ promotes respect, teamwork, and perseverance, helping children build important life skills alongside their martial arts training. The curriculum often includes gameplay and fun drills to keep the training engaging while instilling fundamental BJJ principles.
Kickboxing
Class dates: August 29th-end of semester
Day/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM
Where focus meets fun — our Bang Muay Thai program teaches kids discipline, confidence, and striking fundamentals in a structured, safe, and exciting way. Designed to build strong bodies and stronger minds, this system gives kids the tools to succeed on and off the mats!
Lunar Martial Arts Spring 2025
- Classes begin in January, contact center for more info
- Location: 211 Hilltop Rd, Suite L5, St. Joseph (entrance on west side)
- Instructor: Master Andy Dixon, Leslie Woods, Landon Woods
- #269-332-4450, email: lunarmartialarts@gmail.com
- website: lunarmartialarts.com
- If students have previous martial arts experience, other class times may be substituted.
- Must take a minimum of 16 hours of classes per semester.
Schedule:
Ages 4-6 - Classes are available Mon-Thurs 5:30-6:00pm (choose one class per week)
Ages 7+ - Classes are available Mon-Thurs 5:30-6:15pm (choose one class per week) for beginners. If students already have Martial Arts experience, Master Dixon will evaluate prior to beginning class to determine which class would be best suited to the student.
Class description: Beginner students will learn the foundations of Songahm Taekwondo and perform a skill assessment every 8 weeks. Students will be introduced to key life skills which are reinforced in every class including respect, discipline, honesty, belief, communication, and self-esteem.
Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA Spring 2025
Karate
- Contact: Allison Kiggins akiggins@ymcagm.org 269-683-1552
- Instructor: Steve Lage
- Website: YMCA Benton Harbor-St. Joseph
- Classes begin in January
- Adult/ Young Adult Karate (Ages 12 and up)
- Youth (Little Dragons) Karate (Ages 7-12)
Course Description (complete overview on website):
Adult/Young Adult Karate Develop self-confidence, self-discipline, goal-setting, and respect for others, all while learning how to defend yourself through studying a traditional Okinawan Martial Art, Isshinryu Karate. This ongoing course covers the complete system, beginning with basic blocks and strikes and effective self-defense techniques, advancing with kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and advanced street- oriented self-defense techniques, giving you the confidence needed to stay safe.
Youth (Little Dragons) Karate Course Objective - Through the discipline of Isshinryu Karate, students develop confidence, goal-setting, patience, good manners, and respect for others while also learning easy self-defense techniques to help keep them safe. Drills develop good listening skills, gross and fine motor skills, focus, balance, coordination, and self-control. This ongoing course builds good character as they begin with the basic blocks and strikes, advancing with kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and advanced self-defense techniques, giving them the confidence needed to stay safe.
*Students may purchase their gi (uniform), but it is not required.
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Sara Smothers
