Kids Karate & Martial Arts Classes in
South Philadelphia

Name: Philadelphia Martial Arts Academy
Address: 38 Jackson St, Philadelphia, PA, 19148, US
Telephone: 215-980-6520

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Confidence, focus, and respect, taught one class at a time.

Martial arts for kids ages 4–12, teens, and adults on Jackson Street in South Philly.

What martial arts builds,
on the mat and at home

You may not notice it on the mat first. You'll notice it at home.

• Confidence. The kid who mumbled "hi" to new people starts looking grown-ups in the eye and answering for themselves.

• Focus. After practicing paying attention for a whole class, sitting down for homework gets a little easier.

• Respect. "Yes, sir." "Thank you." Waiting their turn. Small habits learned on the mat that show up at the dinner table.

• Resilience. They miss a kick, hear "try again," and do it. Then they try again on the math problem, too.

• Real skills, taught step by step. Traditional karate and Tang Soo Do, with age-appropriate self-defense and anti-bullying awareness, including when not to fight.

• Every level welcome. First time on the mat, or coming back after years away? No experience or fitness level needed.

About

Martial arts programs for every age

Little Dragons (Ages 4–6) - 30 min.

Fun, structured classes that build listening, focus, respect, balance, and coordination, and are short enough for little attention spans.

When: Mon & Wed 6:30–7:00 PM ·Tue & Thu 4:30–5:00 PM · Sat 10:00–10:30 AM.

Youth Martial Arts (Ages 7–12) - 45 min.

Real self-defense, discipline, focus under pressure, anti-bullying awareness, and leadership. Beginner and Advanced classes, so nobody gets thrown in over their head.

When: Beginner Mon & Wed 5:00–5:45 PM · Tue & Thu 5:45–6:30 PM · Sat 10:30–11:15 AM;

Advanced Mon & Wed 5:45–6:30 PM · Tue & Thu 5:00–5:45 PM · Sat 11:15 AM–12:00 PM.

Teen & Adult Martial Arts (Ages 13+) - 1 hour

Karate, self-defense, and conditioning for confidence, fitness, and stress relief, at any fitness level, including a lunchtime class on Mondays and Wednesdays.

When: Mon & Wed 12:00–1:00 PM and 7:00–8:00 PM

Tue & Thu 7:15–8:15 PM.

Karate Conditioning (Teens & Adults) - 45 min.

A high-energy, karate-based workout: striking drills, kicks, footwork, and core work. No uniforms, no belt tests.

When: Tue & Thu 6:30–7:15 PM · Sat 9:15–10:00 AM.

Compare all programs · See the class schedule

Made for busy South Philly families

In most South Philly homes with school-age kids, every parent works. We plan around that.

• After-school timing: Kids' classes run Monday through Thursday after school (starting at 4:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 5:00 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays), plus Saturday mornings.

See the full schedule

• Easy booking: Pick a class online in a few taps, day or night. No phone tag.

• Skip the paperwork: Pre-register online before your first class.

• Simple membership: After your free class, membership is $129/month, month-to-month, with no long-term contract, for 2–3 classes a week. There's a one-time $50 registration fee, and your uniform is free. Family discounts available.

Meet the Owner –
Louie Castelli Jr.

Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Louie Castelli Jr. has been involved in martial arts since the age of 3½, training under his father, a longtime martial arts school owner and instructor.

A 3rd-degree black belt with numerous regional and world championship titles, Louie has spent much of his life training, competing, and helping teach others.

Now, as a father himself, he’s bringing that lifelong passion to his hometown through Philadelphia Martial Arts Academy. His mission is to create a welcoming environment where students of all ages can build confidence, discipline, respect, and leadership skills that last a lifetime.