If I could give this dojo zero stars, I would…read more
My son has been practicing at Knight's Isshin-Ryu Karate since April 2024. We've signed multiple six-month contracts, paid every bill on time, bought the required uniform and equipment, and paid extra fees for belt promotion ceremonies. My son has shown up, often three times a week, memorized Isshin-Ryu history, advanced through four belts, and fully participated in dojo culture and events.
Because my family spends two months each summer on the East Coast, I requested flexibility with their contract, which had been granted. When I attempted to renew in August of this year, I was told I could not due to their six-month minimum requirement. Given it was August and I would not depart until June of the next year - I offered to sign a six- or even a nine-month contract. But the Knights never responded. Multiple calls and emails went unanswered.
After more than two weeks of silence, I went to the dojo in person to try to get signed up. At that point, I was told directly -- with some defensiveness and hostility -- that I was no longer a client, that my contractual obligations had been met, and that they would not renew the contract given I could not commit to back-to-back six-month contracts or a one-year agreement. I again offer to sign a six or nine month contract. Shockingly, I was told my son would need to find a new karate dojo - despite all the time and effort he had already invested.
It is important to note that I also observed that students seem to promote to the next belt about one week before their contracts expire. This happened to my son twice - as well as the majority of his class during the promotion ceremony last May. I don't think this is a coincidence. This pattern raises concerns that promotions are scheduled more for contractual convenience than for individual student progression. I even brought this up once, when I felt my son was being promoted before he was ready.
This situation was especially disappointing as I believed in the Knight's values of respect, hard work, integrity, and determination - and expected them to practice what they preached. Given that the Knight's is run by a prior military member, I expected professionalism and integrity. Yet, when faced with a dedicated student and family asking for fairness, they abandoned him. My son, who invested over a year of effort, was simply dismissed from the karate dojo. He is now heartbroken given the time and effort he invested, only to be treated like a contract number.
In my experience, Knight's Isshin-Ryu Karate prioritizes rigid contracts and revenue over student development and well-being. Families considering this dojo should weigh carefully whether those priorities match what they are seeking for their children, and recognize that their child may be cut off at any time at a whim. If you value your child's time and effort, think twice before trusting Knight's Isshin-Ryu Karate.
