Academy Of Tae Kwon Do

As a parent, I can give the Academy of Tae Kwon Do my most enthusiastic rating and highest endorsement. It has exceeded our expectations in every way. Our daughter is very happy here indeed and has been an active member now for three years. You will not regret a decision to join the Academy of Tae Kwon Do!
This is our daughter’s second dojang. After we moved to San Francisco, we looked at every single option out there for martial arts. We were concerned about finding a place as high quality as the one we left behind, and I knew I had rather high expectations as a result. We were not disappointed. The Academy of Tae Kwon Do is by far the best choice in the city. We drive a good distance across town to get here, but it is very worth it!
We are exceptionally fortunate that the dojang is led by an 8^th degree black belt who has vast experience in both the sport and teaching it to kids and adults of all ages. Mr. Dewart is active, enthusiastic, and has unflagging energy when it comes to teaching tae kwon do and helping each of the students become their best. I would encourage anyone not to miss out on this exceptional opportunity to learn from a Grand Master of the sport. In fact, many of the students that he has trained are now black belts and all will help the newer or less advanced students perfect their skills. Mr. Dewart is so respected that black belts from other dojangs (whether it is from another city or overseas) often will come to our dojang to train or to test for their next level. It is so enriching and inspiring for the students to be able to see the abilities of these advanced students and learn from them.
It is not at all a competitive environment, but rather very supportive. Everyone helps each other and trains together. It is fun, rewarding, and a wonderful workout no matter what level you are. Another recommender mentioned how the dojang feels like extended family, and that is exactly how I would describe it as well.
Our daughter is now a black belt and helps teach other students. The leadership and communication skills taught at the Academy of Tae Kwon Do are at least as important, in my view, as the tae kwon do skills. Our daughter truly enjoys her time at the Academy and looks forward to the sessions. She is strong, both mentally and physically, due to this great experience. She also has learned extensive practical self-​defense skills, which I would recommend to anyone. It is a joy to see the skills she has learned at the dojang (self-​confidence, determination, perseverance, etc.) carry over into all aspects of her life.
Having seen many dojangs and many students now, I can honestly say this is a superb choice for anyone looking for a place to learn a martial art and all the life skills that come with it. The skills really are life-​long. The friendships, camaraderie and community are strong and ongoing here. Newcomers are always welcomed, whether a first-​time white belt or someone more advanced, and all ages are welcome and present.
Full disclosure: our family does not get anything in return for this recommendation. We are just thrilled with our experience and glad to spread the word on a gem of a place.

After 5 years of hard work, I finally earned my black belt this past May — from my original Master at a university in Rhode Island. However, my training wasn’t continuous, I took a year off from taekwondo due to work. Without Grandmaster Dewart’s help at the Academy of Tae Kwon Do, I doubt I would have been in the shape I needed to withstand my 6 hour taekwondo test.
Again, throughout the years, I have trained at four different dojangs (in London, Washington D.C., Providence, and SF). And, I can now say that Master Dewart’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do is one of the best I’ve been to.
Every class starts out with 10 – 15 minutes of intense conditioning — pushups, jumping jacks, planks, and a series of warm-​up kicks. By the end of it, you’ll be ready to call it a day. Then comes the actually work out.
If I remember correctly, Monday and Wednesdays are form classes. There, Grandmaster Dewart will walk you through the basics of kicking, punching, and correct walking. Moreover, he’s quick to catch when you are doing something incorrectly — even in a class of 10+ people. Also, if you’re the only belt in your level, he takes the time to walk you through your specific form one-​by-​one.
On Tuesday and Thursdays, there is sparring class. Now, if you’ve passed by the Academy of Taekwondo, you’ll see all the trophies and photos of Grandmaster Dewart’s past competitions — he has a lot of them. It’s clear that he’s a world-​class fighter. Moreover, the fact that he teaches at San Francisco State University and manages competitions around the Bay area and nationally goes to show that he’s seen everything. So, I’m sure if you train long and hard enough, you’ll definitely win a competition or two. Many of his students already have.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a place to learn Taekwondo in SF, definitely check out this place. He’s one of the best.
**FYI, he has classes on Fridays and Saturdays, but I rarely went — so I can’t provide any detail.
**Btw, as of several months ago, it was still about $ 100/​mo and $ 35 for a week (free uniform included).

Academy of TKD sets the standard in San Francisco for tae kwon do training. Master Dewart is phenomenal and so are the other black belt instructors. There are a lot of kids and parents too that make up this strong and healthy community. If you want to learn self defense, feel empowered, get in shape and be a part of something beautiful and powerful then you should check out the Academy of TKD!

My younger sister, Lorraine, attends Club TaeKwonDo at SFSU (
) and frequents Master Dewart’s dojang as well. It’s so great to see her back into it again especially since she is involved with great people.
We recently went to the Academy of TaeKwonDo for my sister’s 3^rd dan promotion. I know my family and I are happy that my sister has found a place like this. She had her TaeKwonDo «family» at a place near our family home growing up so it’s nice that she has been able to find another «family» for her college life. Everyone there seems supportive and friendly.

Professor Bill Dewart is an amazing human being. I can’t say enough good things about him or his school. My 6 year old and I started two years ago and have enjoyed every minute. It’s a great work out and, more importantly, a wonderful community. I feel like everyone there is extended family. I strongly recommend coming in and checking out the Dojang (School) for a week (only $ 35).

My boyfriend and I moved back here in March. After several months of doing every single thing together we have decided we need space from each other before we turn into Siamese Twins. (we work in the same building, live together and have the same friends– talk about glued at the hip.) So he decided to go back to Tae Kwon Do and I am going to sign up for tennis, pilates and salsa. After doing some research he signed up at this school on Oak Street.
Small small studio. They have a limited class selections, Children 4 – 6 years Mon-​Fri 4−5pm; Children 7 – 12 years, Mon-​Fri 5−6pm and Teens and Adults Mon-​Fri 6−7pm. Saturdays they have a kiddy class 1−2pm and everyone else 11-​noon. But we sat through a few classes and they were all full, so people come despite the limited times.
Prof. Bill Dewart has won tons of awards, been on tons of TV shows, trained with the best, and set up programs at SF State, French American, and SF Day School. The man knows what he is doing. His classes are great, the students are attentive and focused and everyone seems to know each other.
His classes have a combo of cardio warm up, drills, partner work and sparring. Everyone in the class was focused on him the entire time and knew each other. Even though there are no levels everyone’s wearing a belt that reflects their skill level and training and when he pairs them up, they are paired up accordingly. You don’t get the feeling at all that what he is teaching is too much for the newer students or too remedial for the more advanced students. He makes the lessons work for everyone.
My boyfriend, with his black belt sat through two classes here observing and signed up on the spot. It’s $ 35 for one week and a free uniform to start off on. You can come to as many classes as you want. It’s pretty much drop in. After that week, if you want to continue, it’s $ 100 a month to come as often as you want. Seeing they have a class for adults 6 days a week you can come up to 24 times a month if it fits your schedule and you want to, in theory.
It’s a no frills, come and workout and learn kinda place. But everyone there loved it and my boyfriend was immediately sold on the place after an hour of observing. And he comes from a black belt in Wisconsin, so he has trained for years and knows what to look for in a studio. Apparently what they do here, was impressive to him, so I am sold too.