I can't say enough great things about West America. I first discovered them in Covid as my daughter was in preschool nearby. Each day, I witnessed kids eagerly walking towards the dojo for team practice. They were calm, parents were present, and it seemed as though they truly wanted to be there. Fast forward 4 years, my daughter is a Purple belt and performs on their demo team. That meant that she performed with West America in the finale of the Asian American parade in San Francisco this year! What a moment that was for our family, especially given her Nai Nai was visiting from Taipei. West America has taught my kids resilience, confidence, friendship building and how to build trust with adults and mentors. They make make friends outside their schools and have created an environment that is uniquely "theirs". Chantal and Roger (sibling owners) give them agency inside the walls. Not only are they learning an ancient skill with self defense components, they are learning respect, focus and working towards a goal (the belt tests). West America is literally home away from home for my children. Where else could I ask a business owner to text me personally when my kid arrives by bike for practice? I wish they could bottle that magic for every after school activity. From a practical standpoint, West America makes parents lives' easy. You may have to chase them down to answer the phone or sign up your child for a class, but remember, they're a small business and the focus is on the children. We love the flexibility of choosing 1 day a week, or unlimited as seasons change for families. We also participate in camps over school breaks and in summer. Current students and those that have never done tae kwon do are welcome and folded into the mix. Again, its magic. read more

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Our son has been practicing here since kindergarten and is now entering 5th grade. It has been a tremendously positive experience for him. We can't say enough good things about Roger and Chantal. It's a wonderful community. read more

Our kids have been going to West America Tae Kwon Do for nearly 10 years now. TKD has instilled in them respect, commitment, and the value of personal achievement. As a family-owned dojo, Chantal and Roger bring a sense of community and caring to everyone who attends and continue the legacy of their father who brought caring, and understanding to the students along with the discipline of TKD. read more

This place is absolute magic both for adults and kids. Our daughter began at age 4 and has thrived. Given the pandemic, her available activities were limited, and she was lucky to find TKW and be consistently challenged by the practice and fun happening inside. TKD offered a safe environment with doors and windows open where parents can easily step in to watch what's happening inside the dojo. The atmosphere reminds me of throwback years where kids excercised ownership, independence and freedom without being shepherded constantly by instructors. They can walk between studios as well as play outside in the courtyards adjacent to the practice studios. This encourages them to watch each other's practice sessions, creating a sense of aspiration and a path to "black belt" for my 4-year-old. It makes her WANT to come to practice as much as possible and be in the company of the older students. The setup for parents is easy breezy. You can attend few times a week or unlimited. That way there is no pressure to get there every day. If you miss a day, no biggie. Most of all, the staff is brilliant. Roger and Chantell are dynamic with kids and their father, who founded TKD, is a master at soft discipline. Also, their camps are awesome! read more

To be writing an online review for WATKD feels silly because it's such a DRASTIC understatement of the impact that WATKD had on my entire life. I did TKD here from ages 7-18+ and basically grew up at the school and in the community. TKD was much more than an after-school activity/class/exercise or way I spent my time - it became a huge part of my life, my character, my education, and my community and support growing up. I learned more than just TKD - I learned dedication, commitment, perseverance, leadership, confidence, service. From the beginning when I was 7, everyone was cheering me on and supporting my success even when, as a 7 year old, I was not thinking about that at all. As I progressed, I was handed SO many opportunities that looking back I'm so thankful that for, as they shaped me in so many ways. I was constantly encouraged to reach higher and given the opportunity to earn belts (earned my 2nd degree black belt before I went to college), lead and train younger students through private lessons, summer camps, and weekly classes, judge in competitions, model for athletic catalogs, compete nationally both individually and in teams, serve on the demonstration team for community events, be recognized school-wide for my achievements, the list goes on and on and on. And it's not just me because there were so many peers along with me; you can see the walls of the dojo covered with photos of all the other black belts and champions that WAKTD has produced as well. As a parent now myself, I can only dream to stumble upon such a life-defining "extra-curricular" and life-long family for my kids. read more

A wonderful activity for young children to learn discipline and respect while getting exercise. This site has a clever location on the same campus as three schools. It makes it easy to extend to after school care, and my five-year old enjoys his time at the dojo with Chantal and Roger. They are also very quick with their communication whenever I had a question via email. You pay a three-month membership fee that allows your child to attend up to five times a week. read more

This place is a hidden gem! My son attended aftercare here and eventually joined the TKD program as well and loved it. Chantal and Roger are amazing with the kids striking a great balance of instructional and fun. We recenently moved from Mill Valley and West America is the thing we miss the most! read more

WATKD is a fantastic place. I cannot recommend it enough as a martial arts studio. The teachers are talented, patient and wonderful with the kids. My children ages 5 and 9 want to stay all day (and beg me to leave so that they can hang out). We have done after school programs and summer camp, both of which have left my kids happy and wanting more time at the studio. I also notice that there are a lot of teenagers that practice, teach and socialize at the dojo. I love that it is a safe, supportive community space for children of all ages. We are lucky to have found WATKD. read more

My daughter started with West America in 2020 aged 8. My son then joined a few months later aged 7. They have absolutely love going both to regular sessions and school holiday camps. Sensei, Roger and Chantal teach so well with a brilliant balance of expertise in technique and form combines with fun and variety in the sessions. Once up to purple belt they then got to join the sparring lessons from James which are so energetic, dynamic and, of course, mega fun. All the instructors are so enthusiastically passionate about the sport coupled with a warmth and rapport with the kids who love them all. I cannot recommend this club enough. Sadly my kids are leaving as we are moving away. We are going to miss this club immensely but feel so lucky to have had such an amazing introduction to Tae Kwando. read more

Our daughter Natalie has been taking lessons, doing summer/holiday camps and participating in events with West America Tae Kwon Do for the past 8 years or so. She absolutely has loved the journey through her belts (now a black belt!). In fact, she's never been as invested and motivated in anything nearly as much as she has TKD. And, she adores Sensei, Chantal and Roger along with the friends and community she has built over these years there. We used to joke that it was her home away from home as she wants to spend any available time at the dojo. Sensei, Chantal and Roger are absolutely wonderful teachers (and, people) in their own right and are really what makes West America TKD such a truly special place. Their patience, warmth and discipline has done wonders for Natalie's growth and maturity and my wife and I are grateful for the fabulous opportunity to provide Natalie with something she can both be so passionate about but also develop an incredible sense of strong community and good values. We could not recommend them more to anyone looking for a safe and welcoming place to have their children learn and grow! read more

Master Roger Carlon and all of the instructors at the West America TKD really care about teaching the students not only the physical aspects of taekwando but also the history and discipline of the art. My son has been going to classes for over 2 months and they have made him more confident but also more respectful of people and traditions. We love the school and I totally recommend it! read more

My daughter Alexandra has been taking classes at West America Tae Kwon Do for the last year and she loves it. She has improved her technique and is motivated to work towards next belt. But more than anything it's a feeling of belonging and being among family that keeps her wanting to come back. They have a tradition of playing hoops after the class and the students enjoy bonding and laughing. My daughter has met lots of new friends. The same family, sensei and his children, has been running the school for 39 years in Mill Valley! They are just so warm and welcoming. I always felt comfortable throughout the pandemic knowing that they keep the doors open, wear masks, and follow local department of public health recommendations. The school is located within the grounds of Edna Elementary so it's easy to get to if you live in Mill Vally or neighborhood towns. Parking is never an issue. When we first started, they let my daughter have some free trial lessons. If you are out of town, they are flexible to prorate your monthly payment which is very reasonable. You can attend as many times as you want, they have classes Monday-Friday. They also offer Summer camps. I highly recommended West America Tar Kwon Do!!! read more

This is hands down the best martial arts school I have ever experienced. I was there first in 1987, then again in 2016 and now in 2022. Sensei and all the instructors are both incredibly good martial artists and instructors. There's a very good balance of men / women and boys / girls attending the classes. Everyone is incredibly nice. Highly recommended. And this is probably the best sport for building self-confidence in children. read more

Having my son train at family run Tae Kwon Do dojo is truly a special experience. Sensei, Chantal and Roger are one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. They make martial arts fun and instill the values of self-discipline and respect throughout their curriculum. read more

My daughter goes to TKD class at West America and is also doing summer camp - I will say that it will be difficult for you to find a group of people who will care more about teaching your kids. It is a wonderful, loving, sweet place that will treat your child like their own - and teach them to break a Wooden board at the same time! read more

We have been lucky enough to have our daughter practicing at West America for the past 7 years in after school classes and their Summer camps. They have not only been exceptional instructors in helping her grow her martial arts skills, but their influence goes well beyond that. They are keenly skilled in helping ALL students develop confidence and inner strength by instilling mutual respect, honor, encouragement and patience. It is obvious that it's all about family here - now, we really think of them more as part of our own extended family. Sensei, Chantal, Roger and the rest of the crew are all wonderful; I am so very grateful they remain a part of our life and I could not recommend them more highly. read more

Where do I start with the glows of this family run dojo?! Our son has enjoyed years of training at West America and it has been an incredible community for him to belong. He has learned so much in terms of technique but the dojo has all of the feels you could want from a childhood activity. We are blessed to have found this gem for our child. The Carlon family is doing everything right!!!! read more

West America TKD is the best decision we made for our daughter! We moved to Marin from Texas in the summer--where our daughter had been taking TKD classes from the age of three. I wanted to find a similar family run TKD program with a focus on black belt training. I called and spoke to Chantal about my daughter and she told us to just come in and try a class. WE did and we haven't looked back!! What I love about this school is that you become part of a larger TKD family. Sensei Carlon, Chantal and Roger make you feel at home right away. They have a wonderful way of teaching that just works!! The kids have fun, but at the same time they really learn. My daughter is thriving here! Like I said, the best decision we have made! IF you are thinking about it for your kids, just stop by and they will let you do a trial class. You won't be disappointed. read more

I sat in front of my computer for minutes on end trying to figure out how to express in words what I have gained from West America Tae Kwon Do. The truth is, there is no way I could ever describe what a positive impact WATKD has had on me. Sensei Roger Carlon has trained numerous national champions and state champions, and is able to see, develop, and bring out the very best in all of his students. Roger Carlon is himself a World Champion, and has trained with some of the best known martial artists in the business. His son and daughter, who also teach at WATKD boast impressive resumes of their own. Both are multiple time national and state champions, who have travelled nationally and internationally to train and compete. West America Tae Kwon Do is exceptional in that it is an elite martial arts studio, but it has not lost its family feel. My parents started me at WATKD when I was 4 1/2 years old, but after a little while, my father thought that TKD would make a great father-son activity. Fast Forward 17 years, and my father and I are still doing Tae Kwon Do together at WATKD, working our way up through the degrees of black-belt (although I had to put my advancement on hold while I am off at college). And my father and I are only one of many family groups who are all students at WATKD, Father, mother, and children alike. There truly are not enough good things I can say about West America Tae Kwon Do. I encourage anybody who is thinking about enrolling themselves, their children, or both, to give it a try. read more

YES YES YES. My youngest daughter has been taking TKD here since she was 5- now she is 12 and almost a BLACK BELT! West America TKD is like a second home to her and the staff is indeed, family. Not only has the training taught her so much ( discipline, dedication, respect, value of hard work, and she is sort of a bad ass) it is a place she can truly be herself. She fits in, she feels safe, she is welcome, always. If you have been thinking of enrolling your child in martial arts- this is THE place! read more

This school and family deserve at least 6 if not 10 stars!! All the rave reviews you've read are true and more. I trained for 7 years at 4 different Tae Kwon do schools to get my black belt and West America is a cut above them all. The Carlon's have an unbeatable combination of expert Tae Kwon do skills and family values. I have attended West America for about a year with my 5, now 6 yr old son and I'm amazed how Sensei Roger Carlon combines his top-notch skills as a former world champion/6th degree black belt with an approachable and friendly demeanor. Sensei has raised Chantal and Roger to be highly skilled national champions who are also amazing with kids and families! Now master 4th degree black belt teachers, they are an ideal family team who have developed/added other exceptional teaching talent! read more

Let me start by saying we LOVED this program. It is a great program but I give it 3 stars because I did NOT like the way they delt with our "agreement." They sign you up for one month, then 3 months and then the only option after that is one year. My daughter was LOVING it so I didn't hesitate and signed her up for the year after her 3 months ran out. Of course shortly after that she lost all interested and cried if I even mentioned going. So now we are stuck paying $200/month for 9 months of unused agreement- Ug- so frustrating!!! I tired talking to them but they won't budge- be warned. read more

I started tae kwon do 7 years ago at West America. My sons, who were 8 and 5 at the time, need me to drive them to the dojang to train. I was sitting there for an hour or so everyday, waiting and watching, and one day, I realized I could also jump into action as a viable way of exercise. I can attest tae kwon do improves my health. My back pain is manageable now, and I gain energy and flexibility, both of which I did not have much before. I owe it all to Sensei Roger Carlon. His wealth of martial art knowledge, and his meticulous attention to details mold me into the martial artist I am today. He prepared me well for the national competitions. He pushed me beyond my comfort zone for the black belt tests. And most of all, he has become a great friend in life. I am 53 years old, working on my 3rd degree black belt. No one said tae kwon do is only for kids, unless you say so yourself. There is no greater feeling in achieving what you once thought impossible. Thanks West America. read more

an amazing family. amazing dedication to TKD. extraordinary with kids. the most welcoming and warm place on earth.

We heart WATKD! Loving, nurturing and always there for us. Sensei, Patrick, Cameron, Roger and Chantal have become family to our daughter, and her confidence has soared under their teaching. read more

Our daughter has been part of West America TKD since entering kindergarten at Edna. As a parent, I can't speak highly enough about the life lessons she has learned already about goal setting, discipline and respect. It brings great joy to us to see how much she enjoys the dojo and the positive environment that Sensei and team have created. Having a role model in Chantel should be an inspiration to all young women and it brings great pride to us to know that our daughter will have an invaluable mentor for many years to come. read more

I started here as a first time martial arts student at age 40 - totally out of shape. In the 14 years I have been studying at West America Tae Kwon Do, I have learned and achieved more than I ever thought possible. Sensei Carlon is an excellent teacher. He knows when to push and he knows when you need a hand to become better. For me, it is never dull - there is always more to learn and more ways to improve, and Sensei and his staff give you the motivation and encouragement to do so. It has changed my life. read more

West America Tae Kwon Do has truly changed my life for the better, it has been almost 15 years now and still love every training, Sensei Carlon and his staff are extremely dedicated, it is a great sport for children and adults,I love how it kept me in shape for all those years ( i started in my late 30's), once you commit you will become part of a family. Hopefully i will stay for many more years because there is no age limit. read more

WATKD has high quality teachers and it is a great family activity. WATKD has skill ranked classes, but all levels can come together for the adult class in the evening. This is a perfect opportunity for me to spend time with my kids, training and watching them. I realized I was driving back and forth so much that it was worth it to join, and I am very glad I did! read more

I checked out these reviews before I started my son here, and realized it's time I chime in to agree loudly! My son has been attending weekly for about 9 months, and he's grown immensely while having fun the whole time. Here's a smattering of what Sensei and his team have given my kiddo in that short time: -Structure -Focus -Increased coordination -Perseverance -Self confidence (!) That last point has been the biggest discovery: West America has this great system where the kids' hard work is reinforced by notches on their belts, and increased belt levels. They manage in a way that even the slower learners feel proud of their accomplishments, without handing anything out that isn't deserved. It's been an incredible boon for our self-sabotaging worrier. And as has been said, the whole team welcomes you like family. Warm, loving, and giving. We're lucky to have found it! read more

My son and I have been students at West America Tae Kwon Do for a few years now, and the best way I can describe the dojo is that it's our second home. This family run studio is the perfect balance of discipline and kindness. The instructors have this uncanny ability to motivate and challenge ALL students while still making them feel comfortable, respected, and successful. My son and I truly look forward to our time at the dojo, with our dojo family. read more

There really is no way to describe West America TKD other than a "gift." It is a place where children can explore the tenants of taekwondo, yet learn discipline, respect, and many other important life qualities. The instructors are incredibly loving and kind, and motivate children in such a positive way. Truly, nothing short of amazing. read more

My 5 year-old daughter has been attending the West America Tae Kwon Do school for a few months now. She has made remarkable advances in her physical abilities and mental attitude within this short period, not unlike several of her peers from within her school and neighborhood and beyond. This is a highly reputed school that has been running for several decades and has produced several national champions, as noted on their website. At the same time, they have managed to maintain their warm and welcoming attitude and intimate feel. The teachers are all excellent with kids of all ages. They make learning the art fun and inspiring, while instilling values of discipline, respect and focus from an early age. The founder and head of the school, the highly accomplished master Sensei Roger Carlon, maintains to this day his humble disposition and amiable demeanor with one and all. My wife and I feel very fortunate to have access to this wonderful resource for my kids. read more

I cannot tell you how much I love West America Tae Kwon Do! The instructors are so amazingly calm, kind and gentle with the children yet the kids know who is in charge. They have given my son so much confidence and they have taught him control and balance. If you are looking for a place for your entire family to feel welcomed then you are at the right place. We felt like we were part of the family as soon as we walked in the dojo. They are so positive and always happy to see you truly a wonderful place to learn the way of the hand and foot. read more

This is a wonderful family run business; and the instructors deeply care about their students and the overall community. The instructors demand discipline from the kids but still have the wisdom to allow the kids at times to play free and wild. read more

West America Tae Kwon Do is an amazing place. You enter a world where respect and hard work are as important as smiles, gentleness and love. Sensei and all his teachers are incredible, they are all able to teach to the highest level yet also inspire kids to learn from the youngest age. Chantal and Roger Jr. and Patrick are phenomenal as are all the other black belts who teach. They all modulate their teaching to take into account their student's ages and abilities and yet they never allow anyone a pass, never allow anyone to not get it right eventually, never allow anyone to fail. And that's such an important thing, it's so much harder to teach students who are struggling than those who are excelling and yet that's what this family does every lesson, every day. No one is left behind, no one is made to feel bad because they take a little longer or were the only one in the class not quite able to get the moves that lesson. Everyone is given things to work on, everyone is praised for something they got right, everyone is challenged. Everyone is made comfortable that they are in a place to learn and make mistakes, everyone moves at their own speed and everyone is helped, every lesson. The instruction is always individual, with an emphasis on challenging yourself rather than conforming to preset norms of progress. There are no favorites, although there are certainly plenty of stars. This dojo is absolutely welcoming to all and yet it seethes with blackbelts - every time you visit you notice a different one, they are everywhere! There are many amazing teachers but they all follow Sensei and he sets the tone with his wonderful worldly inner strength. I think it's worth the fees just to be in the same room as Sensei even if you don't learn Tae Kwon Do. Advanced students at different levels are also encouraged to teach lower levels which enables the classes to be split into smaller groups for more individual attention. Often the ratio of pupils to teachers in a sub group is 2:1 or 3:1 and I'm sure this is how they are able to consistently achieve such an amazing degree of progress with so many students without being a factory. It also benefits those students turned teachers because of course teaching requires you to think even harder about what you know so you can pass it along. At the same time Sensei teaches the teachers and drives the entire class, missing nothing. It's really amazing to watch. Sensei's approach is holistic. Respect, fun, never quit, try hard, try harder, never give up, anything is possible. These are life lessons that everyone needs, adult or child. And that's kind of the point to Tae Kwon Do, it's not just about getting fit or winning trophies, competitions or new belt colors. It's about being a better person when you walk away to the rest of your life. And nothing embodies that more for this family than the amount they give back to the Mill Valley community. Their support of Kiddo and local schools, various kids sports teams and individual Mill Valley events is huge and yet when you know them it becomes unsurprising, of course they want to give back to their community because they are that kind of people. Their lesson and fee structure is also part of this bigger holistic view, they set it so that you can study as much as you want for the same fee because they want you to come as often as you can so they can give you as much as possible. I have no idea how they can make money after their expenses and hard work and yet they clearly believe so much in what they are teaching and how great it is for you. Of course not everyone becomes a black belt and that's OK, some students will turn onto a different path as they live their lives, but no matter what belt color you attain you will have gained much that is worthwhile with any amount of your time spent immersed in this pursuit of personal excellence, if only to learn what a fabulous attitude looks like. But if you think that going to Tae Kwon Do is only for those special high achieving focused kids or adults, it's really not. These guys know how to make a lesson fun, and how to not take themselves too seriously. There is often fun time at the end of a lesson with rewards and frequent minor progress markers to encourage and celebrate. They have a way of pulling the class together at the start and end to focus you and yet they chat and smile at the same time. They want you to succeed and they are there to help you every step of the way, but they never waiver for a second in their high standards and commitment to the way of life that is Tae Kwon Do. Thank you West America Tae Kwon Do for being part of Mill Valley. read more