Find Safe Martial Arts Classes and Schools Near You
Search the Academy Safe registry to find martial arts classes and schools near you, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, Muay Thai, and kids classes, and see how each academy approaches student safety. Academy Safe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and searching is always free.
Enter your city or state to see academies in your area, or browse by martial art below
Browse Academies by State
Select a state to see the academies listed in the Academy Safe registry there.
What Parents Should Know Before Choosing a Martial Arts School
Academy Safe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that verifies martial arts academies against the 8 Pillars of Protection, so families can see how a school handles safety before enrolling a child. The sections below cover the styles and age groups you will come across, the questions worth asking any academy, and what a listing in this registry does and does not mean.
Martial Arts Styles and Age Groups
Most families start by searching for martial arts classes near them and then narrow down by age and style. Kids classes usually start around age four or five and focus on coordination, listening, and confidence. Teen and adult classes run heavier on conditioning and live training. Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo classes are grappling based with no striking. Karate, taekwondo, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA classes include striking, with the amount of contact varying widely from school to school.
Class schedules, trial periods, and pricing differ at every academy, so use the registry to find the schools near you and then contact them directly about class times and beginner options.
What to Look for in a Martial Arts Academy
Choosing a martial arts school for your child usually comes down to price, schedule, and how close it is to home. Those things matter, but they are not the whole picture. The culture of an academy, the way instructors are screened, and how the school handles supervision and injuries all shape whether your child is genuinely safe on the mat.
Before you enroll, it is fair to ask a school directly:
- Are instructors and anyone working with children background checked?
- What is the policy on one-on-one instruction and private lessons?
- Who supervises the changing areas and the floor between classes?
- Is there a written injury and emergency plan, and is an AED on site?
- How does the academy handle a complaint about a coach or a student?
A school that welcomes these questions is showing you something important. A school that gets defensive is telling you something too.
What It Means to Be Listed on Academy Safe
Academies in this registry have chosen to put their safety practices in front of families rather than keep them behind the front desk. Listing on Academy Safe is a public commitment to the standards we teach: proper instructor screening, clear policies, staff education, and transparency with parents.
Being listed is a starting point for a conversation, not a substitute for one. We encourage every family to visit an academy in person, watch a class, meet the head instructor, and ask the questions above before signing anything.
Browse Martial Arts Schools by Style
The registry includes Brazilian jiu-jitsu and BJJ gyms, karate dojos, Muay Thai and kickboxing gyms, MMA academies, judo clubs, Krav Maga and self-defense programs, taekwondo, Hapkido, and kids-specific martial arts classes. Use the category tiles above to browse a single style, or search your city to see everything nearby.
The registry currently includes academies across Florida and a growing number of other states, with new schools added as owners complete registration. If you do not see a school in your city yet, the safety questions on this page still apply to any academy you are considering.
Academy Safe Ambassadors
Academy Safe Ambassadors are verified academy owners, coaches, and staff who help families find safer places to train. Coming soon: our first ambassadors will be featured here.
Own a Martial Arts Academy?
If you run a gym or dojo, adding your academy to the registry puts your safety standards in front of the parents already searching for a school in your area. Academy Safe provides the resources and guidance to help you meet the standards families are looking for. Accreditation is set up around your academy and the coaches on your staff, so get in touch and we will walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions From Parents
Is it free to search the Academy Safe registry?
Yes. Academy Safe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and searching the registry is always free for parents and students. You can search by city or state, by academy name, or by martial art such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, Muay Thai, kickboxing, or taekwondo.
What does it mean when an academy is accredited by Academy Safe?
An accredited academy has been verified against the 8 Pillars of Protection: Background Screening, U.S. Center for SafeSport certification, Concussion Training, CPR/First Aid and AED certification, Belt and Lineage Verification, Security Cameras, Professional Insurance and Business License, and an On-Premises AED. Academy Safe is a verification body, not a government regulator, so accreditation reflects what the school has documented and what we have checked.
Some listings say an academy has begun the process. What does that mean?
That wording means the school has registered with Academy Safe and started the verification process, but has not yet completed every pillar. It is a useful signal that the owner is willing to be checked. Ask the school which pillars are already verified and which are still in progress.
My town is not in the registry. How do I evaluate a school myself?
The registry is growing, so many areas do not have a listed academy yet. You can still use the same standards. Ask whether every coach who works with children has passed a background check, whether staff hold current U.S. Center for SafeSport certification, whether coaches are trained in concussion recognition, whether CPR, First Aid and AED certifications are current, whether an AED is on site, whether training areas have cameras, and whether the school carries business insurance and a business license.
Does Academy Safe cover Canada as well as the United States?
Yes. Academy Safe works with academies across the United States and Canada. Membership options are available for owners and coaches in both countries.
Can I ask my current school to get verified?
Yes, and it helps. Owners can register their academy directly on the Register My Academy page. Many schools begin the process after a parent asks about background checks and safety certifications.
Does Academy Safe own or operate the academies in the registry?
No. Academy Safe is an independent nonprofit registry and education resource. We do not own, operate, or profit from any academy listed here.
Which martial arts are included in the registry?
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA, judo, taekwondo, Krav Maga, Hapkido, self-defense programs, and kids martial arts classes, among others.
How do I add my academy to the registry?
Owners can start on the Register My Academy page. If you would rather have someone walk you through the 8 Pillars of Protection first, request a signup walkthrough and we will help you through it.