Elite Taekwondo Academy is the best martial arts studio in the area. My two sons love the facility and all the instructors. Kids talk at school and they often hear how mean other instructors are at other facilities. My boys are 9 and 10 and have been attending since 5 years old. Their self-confidence, coordination, and endurance have gone up drastically since beginning. When my little one first started out he couldn't make a full class without running to mommy for a hug or just taking a time out. Now he's fierce and I see him going far, perhaps being an instructor himself one day. Master K and the other instructors are phenomenal. They have a visible passion for the art and pass that passion down to the students. Each instructor takes the time to get know all the kids and to work with them on their strengths and weaknesses. They emphasize character building and respect for others. In addition, the facility is very clean. I can't say enough good things about Elite Taekwondo Academy, the instructors and the students here. If your looking to get your kids into martial arts, I would highly recommend Elite Taekwondo Academy. read more

I enrolled my daughter when she was 5 and joined myself as well. A year and a half in, she's very enthusiastic and really wants to go to class on her own. As an adult, I'm in the teenager group since they don't have adult-only classes, but they do accept adults there. Classes include physical exercises, TKD basics (both the physical techniques and theory), character building, sparring, and forms. The regular classes maintain a medium level of physical activity. Parents can attend all classes and watch their children perform. There's also a sparring team for those who want more of a challenge - it's much more physically demanding and even includes a run at 8:30 on Sundays. Students of all ages participate, and the team attends competitions with trainers. The school focuses on both form and sparring, with a strong emphasis on safety. They don't push sparring until students feel comfortable with it, and all sparring is done in full gear. There's no head contact until students reach higher belt levels, but helmets and mouth protectors are always used. They sell uniforms and all required equipment at the school itself. They use a 3-stage system per belt color: white stripe, full color, and black stripe. Each belt has a set of clear requirements that students know, and they earn special marks on the belt as they progress, making it easy to see how prepared they are. None of the belts are given too fast and the exams are actually fair. As a result, kids have a very strong feeling of progression and that their efforts are rewarded. There's also a digital system to keep track of all requirements and a YouTube channel where teachers demonstrate the necessary skills, along with recordings of events and regular school activities. There's a strong sense of community here. Most kids have been training for years, and the same teachers have been running the school for a long time. There are a lot of girls at the school, at least a third of all students. Some of the younger black belts help with teaching, which gives them opportunities to develop further. The teachers are extremely helpful. Students with no skills join all the time - it's totally fine to show up in regular sport clothes - and they get an assigned teacher who walks them through everything during the first class or two to help them not feel left out afterward. The other students are always willing to help as well. read more

This establishment uses a "celebration" tradition that involves students, including the instructor - all strangers to the child, whom she is just meeting. My 7-year-old daughter, who was excited about her birthday and was also taking a trial class at this place, was subjected to this without our consent. This was a traumatic and unprofessional experience. When I raised my concerns, I was told this practice is a non-negotiable tradition. While my daughter, despite being upset, wanted to continue with classes, I felt this environment was unsafe and disrespectful. I would not recommend this place if you value respectful treatment and a positive learning environment for your children. read more

My son started lessons here about 2 years ago. Master Avila is a great and friendly teacher and our son quickly adjusted to him. He communicates with parents and is very open to working us. The whole staff know how to interact with kids. They are patient with new students. They provide make up sessions and are also flexible with scheduling. My son appreciates the nice and friendly teachers. He says he enjoys the fun games during class and loves sparring the most. We highly recommend this school and plan to enrol our younger son in the future! read more

Decided to enroll my 5yo daughter in taekwondo because I believe knowing how to defend herself as she goes through life would be very useful. She is loud and vibrant at home but in public she tends to be shy and soft spoken. Since being attending Elite Taekwondo Academy, she has been more vocal in public and volunteers to speak in front of the class. Her first couple of days in class had been slow going, I thought she was going to slow down the class. However, Master Avila and his staff students have been so very patient and helpful with her movements and learning. Students can and will get specialized individualized attention in class. I can not praise enough how great everyone here are. The other students and parents are great as well. Great school, great vibes. I would recommend everyone to enroll in this Academy or join the waitlist. read more

My son started attending Master Avila's studio in 2011 at the age of six and still attends today, age 17. He had such a great starting experience his younger sister joined in 2013. Both my children are active members of the competition team. Under Master Avila's guidance they have gained many life skills including self confidence, integrity and perseverance. My children not only have the skills to handle situations but they found a supportive community. If your searching for a studio I highly recommend Elite Taekwondo. Master Jeff Avila is also well respected by his peers at other Northern California studios in the bay area. read more

I simply am not able to praise Master Avila or Elite Taekwondo Academy enough.  Our daughter, now 12, has been attending the studio since she was 5.  At a friend's recommendation, we checked out Elite thinking it would be good for her to know how to defend herself and build confidence, but it evolved into so much more.  The classes not only teach the art of Taekwondo, but include a deep focus on instilling important values and excellent character traits within the students.  These valuable lessons will carry on throughout all of their lives. Master Avila is a fantastic instructor who is extremely dedicated to each student's growth and success.  He has an uncanny ability to not only remember every student's name, but to actually know them, and make them feel a part of the "studio family".  He also has a way of holding the student's attention, motivating them, and adding in some humor and fun.  It would be hard to find a more polite or humble person with this level of integrity and sheer talent. The Black Belts who assist with the classes, have learned from the best and are all quite remarkable in their own right.  During the COVID shutdown, the studio found a way to continue with classes on ZOOM to keep the students engaged, and not loose their personal connection during such difficult times.  It was a tremendous amount of work for them, but they successfully managed to do so with very positive results.  It reinforced the dedication to the students they strive for. This is the real deal folks.  I could honestly go on and on.  We feel so fortunate to be a part of the Elite Taekwondo Acadamy studio with Master Avila, the Black Belts, and other students.  I believe you would be hard pressed to find anything close to this level of excellence. read more

Jeff and his team are very organized very courteous and professional my son and daughter have been going there for four years and we love it here !!! The curriculum is amazing!! read more

Our daughter has been going to the academy for over a year. Her progress at school is very evident. She loves going to taekwondo! Master Avila and his team are very professional and courteous. Premises is clean and well maintained. We are looking forward to enrolling our son in the academy when he turns 5! read more

Elite Taekwondo is a wonderful place! There is an explicit curriculum (on color-coded cards) so the students know exactly what is expected of them, and the kids can earn "tips" along the way to their next belt, so they always feel like they're accomplishing something towards their goals. The curriculum encompasses character development and responsibility, and kids need feedback from their parents and teachers to move up to higher belts. Master Avila is a kind and funny teacher who encourages the best from his students. Unlike some other martial arts studios, he runs all of the classes himself. He has junior assistants who lead the warmups and work with break-out groups on specific skills, but he's always in the room working directly with students and gently guiding his assistants. He also contributes to the larger community by running a kick-a-thon to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital and seasonal drives for school supplies or Christmas presents for the disadvantaged. read more

I have been going to this Studio almost 14 years! Elite Taekwondo Academy is a wonderful school for learning the art of Taekwondo. I started at the age of 5 (2005), know I'm 18 (2019) and about to get my third degree black belt. Mr. Avila is great teacher and all the staff that work there too. This Studio is a great environment for kids, teens, and adults (ALL AGES). Elite Taekwondo Academy's competition Team has been doing incredibly well. Some of the students have moved on and competed at an International Level in Forms. The community has been growing every year and classes have been filling up! read more

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Master Avila is the most honest, respectful and responsible person I know. He uses humor to make the class interesting and has an immense amount of motivation just from his presence. His attitude towards Tae Kwon Do is nothing short of passionate and knowledgeable. His is amazing with students from 5 to 100! He is the epitome of "integrity". He teaches his students the fundamentals of life, responsibility, determination and also the art of Tae Kwon Do. He is gentle in his Olympic style coaching but aggressive in his dedication to his students. Simply wonderful! We went to about 6 other places before we found Elite and I would be embarrassed to step foot in another studio as any would automatically be subpar. read more

I honestly can't say enough wonderful things about Mr. Avila and his studio. My son has been doing Taekwondo with Mr. Avila for 8 years, since he was 5 years old. He's a wonderful teacher and great guy. The studio is always clean and the attitudes are always positive. At the studio my son has been encouraged to better himself physically and mentally, push himself and feel confident in his abilities. read more

Master Avila is a fantastic teacher. He is great with the kids and is very patient. My son does not do well in social settings and I am amazed of the difference this is making. read more

After many trial classes at local Martial Art studios we finally found Elite Academy is the best of all. The studio is clean & spacious. Master Avila is patient & his teaching is amazing. He forms a very organized team to teach the kids & my son loves it here. Unfortunately our family will move out of Livermore so we won't be able to continue go here next month. We definitely will miss the school & all the instructors. read more

Master Avila is a fantastic Taekwondo instructor. He is very patient with kids and my daughter absolutely love going to the class. Great studio, good instructors, convenient location, flexible with make up classes and reasonable fees. read more

My son has been with master Avila for almost one year and it is evident his progress in school in regards to focus and responsibility. Master Avila is about the art of taekwondo. The studio is nice, bright and clean, and the classes are not pack. He knows the kids by name, what each one can do and their personality. read more

My son and daughter have been students of Master Avila for two years and one year respectively. The way he engages students and teaches tae kwon do while integrating lessons of leadership is wonderful. My professional career and expertise is in leadership development and I am excited with the lessons and teachings that he has conveyed consistently over the years. The foundation he helps build assists me and my wife on what we teach our kids at home. He has amazing patience with students and I cannot say enough about what a wonderful martial arts community he has created with students, parents, grandparents, and past students who still return to train or teach after leaving for college. Both my kids have chosen to also compete in sparring competitions and poomsae (forms demonstration) around Northern California. I love how Master Avila has prepared them for competing and only allowing students to compete when they are ready. He understands how important preparation is in order to develop confidence. His rates of instruction were really good and flexible when we did the analysis two years ago and he offers a sibling discount. There are clearly many families with more than one child participating. read more

We have been coming to Elite Taekwondo for about a year now and feel very lucky to have found this place. Master Avila is not only a true master in the art of teaching taekwondo to children and adults alike, he walks the talk of what he teaches (modesty, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit). He has a huge heart for kids, knows how to engage and work well with parents, while maintaining the highest caliber of teaching Olympic style taekwondo. In the summer, he invites guest teachers from Korea to teach specialized techniques not typically offered and gives students additional material to enhance their skills. He also runs a nationally recognized sparring team where his students have consistently placed in the top three. And the list goes on... We HIGHLY recommend this studio for those who want to learn taekwondo in a serious manner where they will be positively encouraged and respected. read more