Moore's Martial Arts Stockton

Nina Landon _{on Google}

Mar 8th, 2023

This is a great place to exercise, learn ways to defend and protect yourself and meet some great people with similar interests. I'm enjoying feeling the boost in energy and excitement for class.

Yemi Fatusi _{on Google}

Nov 5th, 2022

Awesome place to train family environment

Marci J. _{on Yelp}

Jul 29th, 2022

July 12, 2022     My son has been a student at Moore's karate since January 2022.  We did quite a bit of research due to his Autism/ADHD and Moore's specifically states on its website that it can accommodate special needs.  We signed him up for 6 months and he flourished under the instructors there at the time.  Fast forward to May when with no warning a new owner and instructors showed up.  One by one the previous instructors disappeared and the studio changed.   We were told to buy our children head gear, protective gloves and mouth guards immediately (we used them once in 3 months), which we did.  We had different instructors every week.  Kids were being taught different styles and no one was progressing them to their next belt level, but with change is growing pains so we stuck with it.     All along we were upfront with Brendon's disabilities and other than being a little slower at getting the techniques he took karate seriously and was excited to go every Monday and Wednesday.  Towards the end of June we returned from vacation, the female instructor Serena told Brendon they all missed him and all was good as always.  We were nearing the end of our 6 month contract and I kept asking to pay for the next 6 months.  No one knew how to work the "new system".  I received an email on July 4 saying they would have it fixed and to pay on Wednesday July 6.       On July 6th the owner Al Moore approached me and asked to talk for a few minutes.  He proposed to me to pay from middle of July to middle of January 2023 to accommodate for time off in December, which I agreed to.  We spoke a few minutes longer about how good Brendon was doing and how well he was progressing.  Everything was fine.  Right after that conversation, Al Moore addressed the 5 children in class.  He was pretty harsh with them and asked them if they wanted to be "Losers" (another parent and i were shocked).  He then continued to talk to them about being bullied and how awful that feels and that they needed to defend themselves (which is true but how the message was delivered was rough) and then turned to reprimand his instructors in front of these children and parents.  It was uncomfortable for everyone.  The kids did small testing that night and Brendon earned 2 additional stripes on his belt.  He was thrilled and told a few family members about his accomplishments.     On July 11 we went to class (now looking back on it, the instructors were treating Brendon differently).  Towards the end of class Al Moore asked to speak with me after class.  I was told that Brendon was not complying and his instructors were complaining about him and they would not be extending our contract.  So in other words, we were being asked not to come back!  I was shocked and instantly became the advocate for my child.  Mr. Moore could give no examples or incidents that have occurred to back up his decision.  In fact he became very angry and defensive with me when I asked why.  Told me "not to raise my voice" when it was actually he who was loud and saying "apparently I don't know you at all" which is odd because he doesn't know anything about me.  He stated that there was no room and no one to take more time for Brendon's needs.  When I mentioned why we came there to begin with (website states special needs friendly) he specifically said that was Tim Schwartz (the instructor that left after the takeover).  Mr. Moore was extremely hostile and my son is devastated.  His understanding of this is that "he was fired".  He doesn't understand the politics of the situation, he just knows he won't be seeing his friends again.  Brendon was comfortable there, and he trusted his instructors.  Trust does not come easy to children with Autism.  He has had tremendous growth in the last 7 months and matured quite a bit.  Al Moore specifically turned Brendon away due to his disabilities.  I had to explain to my son all night long and I'm sure we will discuss it further that he did "nothing" wrong.