LEAD Program

Tomorrows Leaders Today

isten & Learn

mpower Others

ccept Responsibility

oing the Right Thing

Leadership in Martial Arts

Our LEAD Program is designed to empower young martial artists to take control of their own lives, and develop the necessary skills to become the worlds next leaders. We believe that all students have leadership potential and that their particular gifts, talents, and skills can be enhanced through education, training, and development. Furthermore, we believe that leadership is a process, not a position; therefore, the broad goal of our leadership program is to promote a culture of engaged and ethical leadership among our students.

Star Students

Our Afterschool Karate Program includes a 30 minute LEAD class where students will discuss, practice and develop leadership skills. Each month a leadership topic or "word of the month" is chosen as a topic of discussion. Students are tasked with completing a challenge associated with our word and have a month to complete it. Students who complete three of these challenges by their next belt promotion, earn a gold star to stitch to the lapel of their uniform and may wear their leadership achievement with pride.

Students not in our afterschool program but in evening karate classes may also participate in these challenges as they are discussed briefly at the beginning or end of each class.

S.W.A.T. Program

S.W.A.T stand for "Special Winning Attitude Team." The purpose of the SWAT program is to develop leaders and junior instructors. SWAT is an extension of our LEAD and Black Belt Club programs. Students in our Black Belt Club may "SWAT" classes. This means they are in a lower level class to help teach and set a good example for the other students. In doing so, they are developing their public speaking and class management skills. While anyone in Black Belt club may SWAT, not everyone is on the SWAT Team. Students on the SWAT Team are recognized by a special SWAT patch on their uniforms. These students have completed a 3 month training course on how to properly communicate and engage their fellow students in class. By having students come to help teach, not only does it help them remember their lower belt curriculum, but it also builds their leadership skills and confidence in communicating with other people.