Bright Star ATA Martial Arts

I'm very sorry that this reviewer's experience was at all negative. We are proud of our Tiny Tiger Program and our specialization in serving the Special Needs community which teaches focus, confidence, coordination, bullying prevention, self-defense skills and much more. The class and curricula is life-skills focused and goal oriented, inviting parent to work cooperatively with instructors to help students learn the value of setting and achieving goals over time with great black belt attitude. Protective equipment is required to participate in certain aspects of our sport for the safety of every student. I generally only accept students who are age 4 and above into the Tiny Tiger program, and ask for a six month commitment, to allow enough time for students to benefit from our goal setting curricula. I made an exception for the reviewer's daughter, who was 3 years old at the time, so that her two children could enjoy the program together. Upon entering the program, we explain to parents that an opportunity to move up in rank will be offered every two months, explaining that the fee is $45 (lower than that of similar programs in our community) to cover the new belt, patch or headband received, a certficate of rank, and instructor fees . It saddens me that this reviewer has a sour taste in her mouth. Rather than requiring that every student test or move up in rank every time it's offered, we discuss our recommendations with parents and gain their input. I've noticed that students who do not participate in testing at all lose motivation as their friends in class, training just as hard and with similar skill, receive their new rank while they stay behind. Indeed, the reviewers son expressed to me in class that he was sad that he didn't get a new belt. I tried every way I could to explain the value of participating in our goal setting curricula, and even offered to discount the fee for 2 children by $25 dollars (so $65 testing fee would have applied to not 1, but 2 children). Like other businesses, Bright Star offers introductory programs occasionally. I'm very sorry that the Groupon ad caused the reviewer such distress. However, I feel it's important competitively to offer introductory rates and programs that help bring new students to the school. It is unfortunate that negative feelings about our standard practices were not expressed in a more productive way to my staff and other parents while the reviewer attended our school. Respectful communication and cooperation is something I work hard to promote and protect at Bright Star, especially because of our focus in working with Special Needs students and their families. I was very sorry to lose the reviewer's children as students at our school. They are lovely children, bright and focused. My head instructor and assistant instructors were sad to see them go.