Admissions Procedures, Tuition & Fees

Admissions Procedures, Tuition & Fees

Class Schedules & Tuition Fees

The headquarters school in Poulsbo offers a wide variety of classes throughout the week and on Saturdays, in order to accommodate busy work and school schedules.

The Seattle and Bellingham schools currently offer classes by arrangement only.

Full tuition for all classes, is $100 per month. Students are welcome to attend classes at any school.

General Interest Classes:
The Academy also offers outreach and community education classes and programs of general interest (i.e. women's self-defense clinics and seminars, etc.) to lay members of the general public who need not be formally enrolled students of the Academy. Academy students and family members in good standing are welcome to attend all general interest classes, clinics, and seminars free of charge. Please visit our School Pages for more information and class schedules.

Bellingham School

Poulsbo School

Seattle School

Tao-Zen Academy of Traditional Martial Arts
Admissions Procedures

A visit to the school to observe (and participate in) an orientation class is required prior to admission. There is no charge for this introductory lesson, and no obligation to apply. Please contact the school to schedule your introductory class.

Sabum Nim John Townsend

All new students are admitted on a trial basis for their first three months, and initially only the three-month program is available. Upon successful completion of the first three-month evaluation period, students exhibiting hard work, regular attendance, and serious interest in the martial arts may be invited to test for the gold belt rank. Upon achieving the gold belt rank, students may continue to pay tuition monthly, or may elect to enroll in one of the following longer courses of study, at the substantial savings listed.

Three-Month Introductory Program:	$300	Save $35*
One-Year Fundamentals Program:	$1,100	Save $100
Two-Year Intermediate Program:	$2,200	Save $200
Three-Year Advanced Program:	$3,300	Save $300

*All new students must purchase a school uniform ($35) at time of enrollment. SAVE MONEY! One FREE uniform is provided with each pre-paid three-month tuition. Additional uniforms are $25 each.

NOTE: All new students begin as white belts, regardless of prior rank in other styles. This may not preclude accelerated promotion in some cases, and may not apply to credentialed Dan holders in other systems, depending on the certifying authority.

All formal applications for admission must be made directly to Master J.G. Townsend, Sabum Nim, Supervising Instructor Sara Young-Buck, Kyo Sa Nim, or Supervising Instructor Kai Bublitz, Cho Kyo Sa, either in writing, with a brief letter of interest, or in person, by arrangement for a personal interview.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Work-Study Scholarships:
A limited number of work-study scholarships are available: casual labor assisting with grounds and building maintenance may be credited for up to one-half of tuition at $10/hour. See Sabum Nim.

Teaching Fellowships:
A limited number of teaching fellowships may be made available to students of advanced rank.

Thank you for your interest in
the authentic Martial Arts!