Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Martial Arts
- A project is required for each class on the student's schedule.
- Additional registration at location is required.
- Students must begin in 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, etc. Weekly group lessons and belt testing fees are covered along with annual membership fee for the student, if applicable, up to $350 per student for the semester. Fees above $350 are the responsibility of the family. Uniforms, belts (if charged separately), and other club fees such as Black Belt Club, are not covered.
Here is a list of area martial arts dojos/dojangs that have been approved by the Partnership and background checked.
Buchanan
Hyde's Lifestyle Taekwondo Fall 2023
- New Location: Red Bud Fitness and Lifestyle Center: 500 East 3rd Street, Buchanan
- Instructor: James Austin Hyde - 4th Degree Black Belt
- Contact: 269-210-1214
- Email: hydejames376@gmail.com
- Classes begin September 6th, to register email James at hydejames376@gmail.com or call or text 1-269-210-1214
- Grades K - 12th.
Wednesdays and Fridays Twice a week.
- Ages 5-9 (4:45)
- Ages 10-15 (5:45)
- Ages 16+ (6:45)
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 tenants of taekwondo because in doing so we bring out the best in our students.
Benton Harbor
R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo Fall 2023
- Grandmaster Al Smith
- 1968 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
- Contact: 269-325-2930
- email: grandmasteralsmith@yahoo.com
- R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo Facebook
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.
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
Monday
- 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Open Gym
- 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. All Partnership Students, All Ages and Ranks
*Partnership students may attend additional classes with Grandmaster’s Smith’s permission only. - 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Children ALL RANKS (Ages 4 - 12)
- 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. Children ALL AGES (Green belt and above)
- 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Adults Only ALL RANKS (Ages 13+)
Tuesday
- 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Open Gym
- 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Beginner’s Class ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS
- 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Children ALL RANKS (Ages 4 - 12)
- 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. Children ALL AGES (Green belt and above)
- 7:45 – 8:45 p.m. Adults Only ALL RANKS (Ages 13+)
Wednesday
- 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Open Gym
- 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Beginner’s Class ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS
- 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Children ALL RANKS (Ages 4 - 12)
- 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Children ALL RANKS AND AGES
- 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Adults Only ALL RANKS (Ages 13+)
Thursday
- 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Open Gym
- 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Beginner’s Class ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS
- 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Children ALL RANKS (Ages 4 - 12)
- 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. Children ALL AGES (Green belt and above)
- 7:45 – 8:45 p.m. Adults Only ALL RANKS (Ages 13+)
Bridgman
Blue Knight Taekwondo Fall 2023
Authentic Korean Taekwondo
- Chartered Branch of United States Chung Do Kwan Association
- Kukkiwon – World Taekwondo Headquarters Certified – Seoul, South Korea
- More information available on the Blue Knight website
- email: blueknighttkd@hotmail.com
At Blue Knight Taekwondo in Bridgman, MI, Partnership Students pay nothing.
Uniforms, gym bags & training gear are all provided free each semester.
There are no belt test fees, and no hidden costs.
Owner: Grandmaster Darwin J. Eisenhart - 8th Degree Black Belt
- Former U.S. Army, Former St. Joe Police Officer, Executive Protection Specialist
- 45 years teaching experience in Berrien County, MI
Staff of Instructors
- Sr. Instructor: LuAnn Eisenhart 3rd Degree Black Belt
- Instructor Justin Eisenhart 2nd Degree Black Belt
Schedule Overview
Partnership students must register and attend their first class in September on one of two days (choose one):
- Monday 9/11 4-5pm or Thursday 9/21 4-5pm ( First class only)
- Partnership classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5pm (unless alternate times are requested and approved by instructor).
- Partnership students must attend BOTH Tuesdays and Thursdays classes (1 hour each), or attend one night for 2 hours with instructor's prior approval in order to obtain the minimum hours required for credit.
Visit the Blue Knight website for a complete schedule and more information. Email blueknighttkd@hotmail.com to notify us of your intent to enroll in the 2023 Fall Semester.
Niles
Hong's USA Taekwondo, Habigido, Gumdo Boxing: Fall 2023
- Classes begin September 25th!
- Ages K-12, Mondays and Fridays 4:30pm - 5pm
- 1118 Ontario Road, Niles, MI 49120
- #269-687-5000 soonpilhong@sbcglobal.net
- website: HongsUSA.com
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: Returning students will work on advancing. New students will learn basic Taekwondo: (majority kicking), Habgido (ground attacking/Accupressure), Gumdo (wooden/foam/bamboo) sword, and Boxing (all punching) form.
Legends Martial Arts: Fall 2023
- Classes begin September 11th!
- Ages 5-8 for Youth Classes
Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30pm - 5pm bi-weekly - Ages 9-15 for Kids classes
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 5pm - 6pm - 211 N. Main St. Niles, MI 49120
- #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
Lunar Martial Arts: Fall 2023
- Classes begin September 5th
- Location: 211 Hilltop Rd, Suite L5, St. Joseph, MI 49085
- Instructor: Master Andy Dixon, Leslie Woods, Landon Woods
- #269-332-4450, email: lunarmartialarts@gmail.com
- website: lunarmartialarts.com
ATA Songahm Taekwondo
- Beginners (White-Orange belts) Monday-Thursday 5:30-6:30pm
- Tigers ages 5-7 5:30-6pm
- If students have previous martial arts experience, other class times may be substituted.
- Must take a minimum of 16 hours of classes per semester.
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: Fall 2023- no day/time information yet from location
Karate
- Contact: Allison Kiggins akiggins@ymcagm.org 269-683-1552
- Instructor: Steve Lage
- Classes must begin in September.
- Adult/ Young Adult Karate (Ages 12 and up)
- Youth (Little Dragons) Karate (Ages 7-12)
Course Description:
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
