Reviews of Excel Academy

We were uncertain about this program as it is much larger than his previous program, and he really loved his previous instructor who was the right mixture of firm for our son. I have been very pleased with the amount of patience and guidance given to my son, a very wiggly five year old. He has fun but is also kept accountable. His instructors have been kind-hearted yet firm when necessary. He enjoys learning from them and wants to be like them, pretending that he is Tyler K or Master Trevor at home. He loves all of his instructors. I can only hope that his love continues as his wiggles wear out and he matures.

We've been going for over a year. I've noticed a positive change in my son's confidence in himself. He loves going and likes every instructor there.

Both my daughters go to excel, ages 5 and 8 and they both love it here! Master G is top notch professional and kind and respectful. He does not single kids out to humiliate them like I've seen at another local place. I love the positive environment and what they are teaching my girls. My 8 year old has been going about 2 years and her little sister is tired of watching and wanted to start as well! They do not pressure the kids but rather encourage them to practice at home, i like the self-respect to self and others that they teach. There are a lot of life lessons that bleed over into everyday life that are so positive here. Kids can advance as quickly as hard as they work at it. I've recommended Excel to friends and never seen anyone disappointed, they agree to the positive and encouraging environment and recognize the benefits to their children.

We moved to Rockford in 2008. Our 5 year old had been in an excellent program in our previous East Coast town. We tried several programs here Rockford and were so disappointed we gave up. He started at Excel in 2012 after hearing about the program through friends. He and his 2 younger brothers are enrolled and loving it. As parents, we appreciate their care and concern for each individual. They are firm in commanding respect, but our children are in no way fearful of the instructors. The instructors are easy to understand and they have the children busy with the instruction in an engaging, organized manner. The children do not sit and wait endlessly like we experienced at other facilities. The expectations are clear for student participation and advancement. The class offerings are numerous and convenient. Master G runs a wonderful program and has excellent instructors to guide the students in their TKD advancement and character building. This is truly what a TKD program should be.

My parents got me signed up with Excel Academy twelve years ago because I was being bullied in school and they wanted me to learn how to defend myself. I went to another dojo for a short amount of time, but my mom pulled me out because the instructor was incredibly rude and unprofessional to myself, my parents, and the other students. I was ten years old and my mom found Excel for me and I have been obsessed ever since. I finally began to feel confident in a physical activity that allowed me to progress at my own pace. I wanted to go to every single class every single day and had the dream of becoming an instructor, which I now am <3. Not only has this school given me a talent with discipline and confidence, but I have made a whole new group of friends that's just like a family go me. Master G has become such a father figure to me, that after my biological dad passed away I asked him to give me away at my wedding. All the instructors and high ranks at the school are amazing people and role models. When it comes to structure and respect, Excel is definitely at the top. Many of the students have become national champions, and one even moved on up to become a professional fighter! Excel is very focused on fighting and self defense, much more then many other schools. The self defense I've learned in this dojo has saved my life many times....LITERALLY! If it was not for this school, i would very likely not be here today. This school has changed many lives for the better, and it's instructors, students, and parents are some of the most respectful, amazing people I have ever met.

This is a place to learn skills for confidence, poise, and athleticism. The primary thrust of all learning in this dojo is respect. You respect yourself, your opponent, and your family and friends. Respect is all ways is the capstone of all lessons at Excel Academy. Master Gonzalez and his aides make sure all who come here know this and learn to practice respect in all ways. I am proud of who my grandson has become as a result of his relationship with Master Gonzalez. His school grades have improved remarkably, his relations with others is much more mature, and he is (although a teenager) not so much of a handful because he has assimilated the idea of respect for all.

My children have gone to Excel for years. Master G and his black belts are all committed and helpful students of Martial Arts. The students of Excel work together and challenge each other to improve their skills. They treat each other with respect, and practice, practice, practice. The five tenants are alive at Excel Academy: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, and super spirit.

There is something to be said about a school that has grown as much as this school and has continued to keep and exceed in quality! Great instruction and dedication always pays off! Great job Excel!!!

I wanted to find a Martial Arts school for my sons. So I went to all the surrounding schools and the lead instructors all said "sign on the dotted line and your children will be Black Belts in 2 years". Wow this was my queue to get up and leave. If a Martial Arts school has to lock you into a 2 year or more contract then apparently their instruction is not good enough to keep you there. I walked into Excel academy and it was refreshing to not have a contract forced down your throat. Needless to say, years later my sons are still training at Excel Academy. Both are National Champions winning a title at Diamond Nationals. The super bowl of tournaments. I cant say enough about the instruction that Master Bennie Gonzalez gives all his students. He has trained a world Champion Kick Boxer who is now a Pro MMA Fighter. He has trained many many National Champions. He is very good at training special needs children, Autism, ADD, Etc. My son has ADD and Master Gonzalez has got him to focus on his training so well he is a National Champion in Traditional Forms. I promise if you stop in and watch classes ( Most other schools will not let you) you will see for yourself the talent that Excel Academy instills in their students. You will not be disappointed.

This school has done so much for my daughter. Master G is very skilled and knowledgeable in this sport. The kids love him. He treats the parents with respect and his primary focus is the kids learning and doing it right.

Excel Academy in Rockford and it's branch locations are beyond amazing! There is nowhere else anyone in the northern IL/Southern WI area one should look if they are looking for quality martial arts instruction. As a parent of a child who has been involved in tkd since he was 6 years old (now 10), I am glad to have my son placed in a school and trained by instructors that put the children and the basic principles of martial arts before money unlike other schools in the area. Students and their parents are treated with respect and as if they are family. The training is top quality where the instructor actually cares about their continued improvement and shows/corrects the students without browbeating them or hurting their self esteem. It is a positive environment where students are encouraged to do their very best and preform to their full potential regardless of what school they came from, what their belt rank is, how much money they can spend, their age or gender. I would recommend this school to anyone looking to learn martial arts, young or old, or anyone already involved and is ready for the challenge of something better. I have had the pleasure of training with this schools instructor as well through cardio kick boxing and have never felt so encouraged and motivated while having fun getting a workout in. Best school, hands down!

I think the Excel Academy schools are amazing! Master G and all the other instructors work so well with the students and you see progress at every class. If you want a positive, safe place for your children to learn martial arts, this is the place to go. It is great going to class and seeing children smiling and having fun while learning martial arts. Every time I go to these schools, I see happy parents, thrilled with the instruction their children are receiving. This is a great place for children and a great place for adults too. There are a lot of adults there as well, all happy and learning the ways of martial arts. My daughter has been in martial arts for almost 7 years. She loves this school and the instructors.

To the person who wrote the bad review, you must be thinking of a different school. The basics of martial arts is reviewed at every class and the children love learning new things. Learning new things is what keeps children motivated. I have never seen instructors so dedicated to the well being and instruction of all their students as I have at the Excel Academy schools. These instructors go out of their way to help all their students in any way they can, whether it is martial arts or the damage caused by other schools in the area. Way to go Excel Academy for providing a great school for children and adults!!! I can't thank you guys enough!

I am a very unhappy parent of excel academy and please don't waste your time and money. This is a milked down program that does not teach the true asspects of martial arts. During the time I've spent here my child hasn't really achieved strong basic martial art skills because they try to teach something different and new all the time so the students never really get good at anything. Also my wife and I noticied students from other school coming out of no where. These kids from other schools are now the super stars and the other kids are pushed to the side. I am not thrilled with a school that's steals other peoples students, please don't waste your hard earned money with excel