I can't recommend this dojo enough! My daughter has been training under Sensei Matt for six years now. He is awesome with the kids (and adults)! There are so many valuable life skills she has learned aside from just self defense...things like discipline, leadership, character development, organization, high achievement drive, and focus...just to name a few. If you're looking for a new dojo or considering options for yourself and/or your kid, it's definitely worth checking out. Stop by and have a chat with Matt to see how Key Martial Arts should be part of your future training. read more

We tried 2 other facilities before becoming part of the Key Martial Arts Family. None of the other places could even get my son out onto the mat even though he was adamant he wanted to do it. Sensei Matt was able to gain my son's trust and had him participating right from the beginning. Giving me a special seat next to the mat so I was closest to my son putting him at ease, being firm but encouraging, and pushing him to try his hardest. My son feels right at home there and is so excited to come home and practice new skills he has learned. read more

My son enrolled in November 2025 and i am extremely excited to see him grow in confidence and discipline. My son is shy and can sometimes have a hard time with focus, after just 5 months coming to class the improvement at home and at school has been evident for us. Sensei works well with the kids and provides the appropriate amount of correction as well as praise when earned. i like how this dojo teaches the kids to be accountable for themselves and respectful of others. i would 100% recommend this dojo to anyone interested! read more

Key Martial Arts - dojo is always clean and welcoming - Karate Near Me - Oceanside, California

Sensei Matt and his helpers gave our son and daughter a great start in martial arts. The dojo is always clean and welcoming. Our son was shy at first but learned to follow along and grow more confident. Our daughter was also a little shy, but she quickly found her stride and really excelled. We're so thankful for the positive experience! read more

Key Martial Arts - Karate Near Me - Oceanside, California

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My son has been coming here for about a year now! Sensei is a great teacher and leader to these kids. My son has gained so much confidence, discipline, and skills by coming here. Our daughter will be coming once she is old enough! Mr. and Mrs. Sensei have built a community with the kids and their families. Really happy we found this place! Thank you! read more

We are so grateful we found this martial arts studio in our neighborhood. Our son goes and has loved it. Great teacher and staff who work great with all the kids in the program. I definitely recommend this place for anyone interested in martial arts. read more

Absolutely I recommend this fantastic family run studio. Sensei teaches a great class and provides so much to his students beyond just learning moves. Our daughter has been attending classes for going on 8 years and it is the highlight of her every week. She recognizes the physical and personal growth she has made. She has connected with the kids in her classes. Even though we moved "across town" we bring her to Key Martial Arts because it is the best! read more

My son has been going to this dojo since he was 5. It's been a good 7 years with Sensei Matt and Mrs. Sensei. We will surely miss taking our son to train with them. Sensei Matt teaches his students to be well disciplined, respectful, hardworking and good human beings. We are glad to have sent Nate to this dojo. read more

Great martial arts and family at Key Martial Arts. Sensei Matt, his wife and daughters all worked together to connect with my daughter. The lessons are age appropriate, teach discipline, self control and self defense. If you want to go to a family oriented place and support a veteran owned business this is the place. read more

We had our daughter enrolled for awhile but she started to not want to go each week. we decided to watch the classes closer and found that Matt overly corrects the kids and it's actually pretty upsetting to watch. Kids want to have more fun and be excited. He acts more like a disciplinarian or these kids parent than a teacher. The idea of the place was great and price was right but he is always mad at the kids. Didnt work for us. *** Sir I understand your response however that does not change what we witnessed. The atmosphere and discipline is beyond the level of how it should be. read more

We have been part of Key Martial arts for 3 years now. They are family and my son has learned so much through this amazing Dojo! They are great at what they do and I will always recommend them to people!! read more

Love the team at Key Martial Arts. They understand what kids need from 4 years old and up. Great for kids all ages

Key Martial Arts has been a great experience for my teen daughter. Sensei Matt does a wonderful job instilling pride and self reliance into his students. I believe it has really helped us navigate the teenage years. I would absolutely recommend this dojo. read more

Key Martial Arts is wonderful! Sensai is supportive, patient, and encouraging toward his students. Highly recommend.

Key Martial Arts has been an amazing place for my daughter to learn martial arts. We had never done martial arts before but my daughter quickly came to enjoy learning the skills and building her confidence. Sensei is a great leader and teaches the kids lessons in life beyond just martial arts. We appreciate how he partners with the parents to help raise great kids. Highly recommend Key Martial Arts! read more

My kids LOVE it here! Matt is the best! We started coming about 2 months ago and my kids are learning so much, we love the structured classes and friendly staff read more

I have been training her for over a year and have enjoyed every moment. The adult classes have a good combination of real world and competition style Kenpo and we have fun while working hard. read more

My kid loves every class. The dojo is clean, and is a positive, respectful environment. Classes and times are flexible so it never feels like we have to miss a class if there's a scheduling conflict. Classes start on time, every time. The kids classes (4-6) are like herding cats, but the older and more experienced students do a great job of helping out the younger and newer students. There is definitely an emphasis on proper technique, but not to the point where the kids don't have a great time. Dojo and etiquette rules are enforced diligently and respectfully, never harshly. Recommend. read more

Solid teaching and very family friendly! Sensei Matt is understanding of military schedules and offers flexible pricing options. The Mighty Ninja program is amazing and my son loved every class he was able to attend! He really enjoyed learning from the older kids who were assisting during the workouts. Just an amazing place overall and highly recommend as they have something to offer for every member of the family! read more

Key Martial Arts - Mighty Ninjas! - Karate Near Me - Oceanside, California

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We came in for the trial and decided to stay. Sensei Matt and Mrs. Sensei are attentive and positive teachers. The children are taught more than just karate moves, they are taught kindness, respect and confidence. My son's confidence has skyrocketed and he's improved outside of just karate. He looks forward to his schedule and is excited to continue his karate journey. We will continue to attend as long as we possibly can. read more

Key Martial Arts - Karate Near Me - Oceanside, California

We are a Marine family and have been a part of this dojo for about four to five years now. Key Martial Arts has become our second home and has helped my daughter immensely in her confidence and leadership skills! She started as a yellow belt and is now a junior black belt. She also participates on Sensei Matt's leadership (STORM) team. Sensei Matt and his wife are kind, knowledgeable and the kids have fun in their classes. Also, if kids are struggling outside of the dojo, Sensei provides guidance and support. We love this place! read more

Very family friendly and accommodating on my work schedules. As a single working mom I cant just do Monday through Friday at 2pm or something along those lines. People that work 9-5 jobs would never be able to take their kids. .. I'm very Happy to have found this place for my 4yr old daughter. Love the atmosphere and structure. read more

Our kids have thrived here! They love the classes and it has been so great for both of them. Helps with their coordination and confidence. Sensei Matt is funny, while also expecting them to be disciplined. read more

If I could give 10 stars, I would. After several "behavioral issues" at school that lead to multiple meetings with the principal, our daughter's teacher, and school counselor (all at our request), my husband and I were desperate to find a program for our 6 year old daughter that would provide a healthy outlet for her energy and basic emotional support she was not getting at school. After one month we noticed a slight improvement in that she enjoyed it so much, we were able to use it as leverage. Yes! "Do you want me to tell Sensei?" became a very power tool. After two months we noticed she was no longer having accidents at school and behavioral complaints from her teacher were fewer and fewer. After six months she was like a new kid. She found a place where she was supported, accepted, and treated with the same respect she gave her Sensei. I'm not saying Matt is like Dr. Phil.. but it's pretty close. He and his wife have such a powerful way of connecting and getting through to the children. They train their leadership team of older students to do this as well and the connections my daughter has made is really awesome to watch. My daughter who first learned how to feel isolated and disenfranchised at age 6 now is confident, focused, and HAPPY! I've also noticed my drinking has significantly reduced as well.. I wonder if there is a connection? read more

I looked in this area for a good fit for our family. With a wide range of class times and competitive pricing, Key Martial Arts was the best fit. The Little Dragons class was perfect for my 4yo. Sensei Matt and his assistants do a fantastic job of keeping the kids focused and motivated. My son loves that he gets a stripe on his belt every class and the patches he has been earning. It really helps him to try his best. Come try a free class and see if Key Martial Arts is a good fit for you and your family. read more

Key Martial Arts - Kids have fun and get exercise. - Karate Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I took karate and taekwondo as a kid and remember thinking it was just kinda okay. I'm certain if I'd had the experiences that my son has since coming to Key Martial Arts I would probably stayed in long enough to earn my black belt. Matt (sensei) is a former Marine and has a gift when it comes to working with kids. Considering the level of personal instruction he is able to provide is impressive. It's a joy to see how much your child enjoys their experiences here. The belt system here seems accelerated compared to other kids and dojos I've seen and there are also other iron on badges they can earn between belts! I think this is a real benefit to coming here because sometimes younger kids have a shorter attention span. I think they benefit from having quicker progression and keeps them coming back for more. My son loves it so much he is about to have a second birthday party here at his request! They have nerf nights and even costume contest at Halloween. I can't imagine a better mix of discipline, fun and affordability all in one place. Keep up the great work! read more

Key Martial Arts - Karate Near Me - Oceanside, California

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I initially was looking for a sport for my 6 year old son as we had tried baseball and soccer with no success. We went in for our free trial day and I walked out with not only registering my 6 year old, but also my 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. Key Martial Arts has been a wonderful environment for all of my children. I can't say enough what a great job they do. We have been there now for almost a year and I have to say we are so privileged to have found them!!! read more

The instructor is great. He is a good role model for the kids. He uses the time in class most efficiently and the kids have fun while learning how to defend themselves. My daughter has four kids in his class and they love it. There are student volunteers and his daughters help the younger ones. That is great! He has my highest recommendation. read more

My husband and one of my best friends (and his children) are members of this dojo. As a family member and friend, I have been warmly treated when I visit and bring our 7 month old twins. This is a family run business and the dedication toward both professionalism and mentorship is evident in the way both adult and child classes are run. With a background in teaching, I am especially impressed with the sensei's approach toward instilling responsibility and accountability in children. Keep up the great work. read more

Both of my children (8 & 11) have been taking lessons from Sensei Matt for 6 months and it has been wonderful! It has been amazing for their physical health, but also for their confidence, focus, attention, and, incredibly, their helpfulness around the house. read more

Been coming here for years. I'm 43 years old and have been to a LOT of different dojos and Matt and his team are by far the best!

We love Key Martial Arts! There is a huge focus on building character as well as the skill. Sensei Matt is great with the kids.

LIL DRAGONS: 10 sessions in and we are VERY PLEASED. The girls will complain and drag on Saturday mornings. But once they are out there, they inevitably have a FANTASTIC time and have nothing but good things to say about Karate. It seems to my untrained eye that Matt is subtly ramping up attention to detail and technique. Very happy with Key Karate! read more

Matt (the owner and chief instructor) is a great teacher and has an amazing way with kids and overcoming the kids shyness or uncomfortable being new - makes everyone few welcome and a part of the class. Organized curriculum and classes, right balance of challenge and accomplishments to keep kids involved. My kids love it and look forward to it everyday. Great price structure and class options. Do yourself a favor and get involved here - you won't regret it! read more

I wanted to write this because I think people should know about the quality of this place. If you are looking for martial arts instruction, either as a beginner or more advanced, this is THE place. I have had experience with other studios/instructors and I can honestly say that this one deserves a 5* rating all the way. The instructor's professionalism, knowledge of the arts, and teaching ability are the best. I learned more from him in two weeks than in a year at another place. He is easy to learn from and he knows how to teach well on the level you are on. He is a thorough and patient teacher. The other thing I like is he does not teach with intimidation and he does not have an ego due to his level of expertise. The atmosphere is like a family and you always feel welcomed when you arrive for classes. I love the dojo and the instruction is top notch. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! read more

This is my first experience taking a martial arts class as an adult and I am hooked. Key Martial Arts offers a great environment to learn American Kenpo karate all while gaining flexibility, endurance and overall fitness. The adult class is very inviting to all skill levels and is a great mix of traditional karate forms and practical kick ass Kenpo moves. If you are looking to get into shape and the gym sounds too boring and cross fit seems too hipster then you have to check this place out. I wish I would have found this place years ago. read more

I could go on and on about this Dojo! I'll try to keep it short. Make no mistake kids learn Martial Arts here, but they learn a whole lot more. They learn things about themselves that eventually will help them become a better person. It's not just for kids though. I started taking classes myself at the age of 43. So stop surfing the web for places and call Key Martial Arts. read more

We've been coming to this dojo for 3.5 years and feel like part of the family. Sensei Pol is fantastic with kids, offering the right blend of kindness and patience with strict discipline. Our oldest started the Mighty Ninjas class when he was 5yo, and our younger son started when he was 3.5yo. They are now green and orange belts in the youth class, and it's been exciting to see them grow. This dojo is just as much about life lessons and character building as it is about martial arts skill, with character building lessons weaved into the classes. Sensei has been so encouraging and patient with our kids. When our younger son moved up from the Mighty Ninajs class to the youth class, he cried and tantrumed in class for a few weeks because he didn't like the harder curriculum. But Sensei was so patient with him, and it's paid off to see our son's confidence in what he's been able to achieve. read more

Sensei matt and his wife both make this place an amazing karate studio to help kids with self confidence and discipline . These two people are probably the nicest and most caring people we have come across in a long time and we are blessed to allow our children to look up and take their classes 3 + times a week. We have been attending classes for 6 months and we have seen an amazing change in our child's behavior and self confidence. Our son used to be a shy and self conscious kid due to school bullies and now he smiles daily , encourages kids in the mighty ninjas class and is a part of the studios leadership team! Highly recommend this karate studio to all parents and kids! read more

The three classes a week I take at Key Martial Arts are some of the best hours of my week! My husband and I went looking for a martial arts program for our boys (ages 8, 6, and 2), and he convinced me that it would be better if we took karate as a family. OK, I was skeptical. I am almost 40, have allowed myself to slip into bad shape, and I really (I mean really) hate to work out. I took Tae Kwon Do back in my 20s, and liked it well enough, but that was a long time ago, and I was in way better shape. Not to mention I already felt so over committed how in the world was I going to fit yet another thing into my schedule? And would I be able to enjoy the monotony of doing the same thing, over and over, week after week? I am so glad I let my hubby talk me into taking classes, because I could not have been more wrong! From the first class I knew this was going to be different. Sensei Matt is a phenomenal instructor. No two classes are ever the same, I get a fantastic workout each time, and to top it off it is so much fun! No kidding, I feel like a little kid getting let out for recess each time I go to class. While we repeat the skills we learn over and over, Sensei Matt utilizes so many different teaching methods that it never, ever seems monotonous. And I am constantly improving. I have learned more in just 1 month at Key than I learned in one year taking Tae Kwon Do. I'm not just learning a bunch of punches and kicks that I perform in the air with no idea about how to apply them or why I'm even doing them. Sensei Matt weaves in history, anatomy, physics, and real life scenarios to bring it all together. And I never feel as if attending class is an imposition. In fact, I would be very cranky if I had to miss a day. I am totally able to clear my mind and let the stress of the day just go away. It is therapy for the body and mind. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the kids. They are doing great! Their skills are improving every day, and my husband and I really appreciate the lessons about discipline, responsibility, accountability, and respect that Sensei Matt incorporates into every class. Our two-year-old is still watching from the sidelines, but even he enjoys coming to the dojo to watch Mom and Dad or his big brothers. We plan to start him in lessons as soon as he is ready. I cannot rave enough about Key Martial Art for adults and kids! read more