Newberry's Ata Black Belt Acad

My son has been going to the Mahomet Leaders For Life school since January of this year. The instructor, Mr Rodriguez, is unbelievable. I can't say enough about his ability to work with the students. My son has learned a tremendous amount in his short time thus far. Pros: null Cons: null more

My son started a little over two years ago. He is now a recommended second degree black belt. This school has been the best thing for him. He is deaf with a hearing aide and cochlear implant. He has difficulty understanding and teachers at school can be uncaring and not helpful, but at Leaders for Life everyone goes out of their way to make sure he understands and feels a part of the Leader's for Life family. After watching him for six months I decided to join the Leader's for Life family as well. I am now a first degree black belt. I am nearly 50 years old and needed something to challenge me physically and mentally and taekwondo was just the thing! I love going to Leader's for Life because it is so positive and welcoming. Tina and Jeff Newberry make this martial arts school an uplifting, challenging, fun, and inspirational place to be. You are never too old to start, if I can do it anyone can!! Pros: null Cons: null more

Also known as Newberry's Leaders for Life. They are an ATA franchise.\r \r BUYER BEWARE\r \r The owners are excellent sales people. By that I mean they will tell you just about anything to get you to commit to a one or even three year unbreakable contract. They are pretty messy with paperwork so don't be surprised if you're asked to sign something more than once. READ YOUR CONTRACTS CAREFULLY. They probably won't mention the ""unbreakable"" contracts. If you're waiting on something to arrive (uniforms, weapons, etc), plan on asking once a week for a month or longer until you get it.\r \r Regarding classes: the school moved into a larger remodeled facility in late fall / winter of 2010. By February of 2011 they began heavily recruiting. This pumped up their class sizes to nearly double the original attendance but they did not add instructors or number of classes. The result was less instruction, more cattle herding, overcrowding, and obviously more money. For my son, it became ""not fun anymore"". You might hear Ms. Newberry mention she paid a lot for the building every now and then during a class.\r \r Regarding instructors: There are a couple very good instructors and the rest are mediocre at best. They may have the skill, but they can't teach. If the good ones leave, that school will be in trouble.\r \r Regarding prices: You'll probably start to notice a trend of paying for something new every 3 months. They'll graduate anyone on up to black belt if you pay for it. If you or your child is in any weapons classes, you'll use new weapons every 8 weeks and can only use gear approved by the school which happens be only the gear they sell.\r \r I was warned by a fellow parent to watch out prior to enrolling my son at Newberry's but gave the school the benefit of the doubt due to his excitement. In the end it was a mistake and I should have gone with my gut feeling and the warning.\r \r There are other martial arts schools in Champaign Urbana. Newberry's markets themselves better than most but that does not at all mean they are the best. Visit other schools and make a decision based on your information, not their hard sell. more