Gracie Barra Saint Johns

Choosing this academy for my daughter has been an incredible decision. The instructors strike the perfect balance between structure and encouragement, instilling a deep sense of discipline and hard work from day one. They expect the kids to focus and give their best effort, and seeing my daughter embrace those challenges and walk off the mats with genuine pride in her progress has been incredibly rewarding. What really sets this place apart is the authentic community the coaches have built. They don’t just teach from a distance; they take the time to build real relationships with the kids and understand what motivates them individually. It creates a highly supportive environment where the kids feel safe stepping out of their comfort zones because they know their coaches are truly invested in their success. The opportunities for both personal and athletic growth here are excellent. My daughter has developed great physical skills, but the mental resilience and confidence she’s gained carry over directly into her everyday life. If you are looking for a place that will challenge your child, surround them with positive mentors, and help them build lasting character, I highly recommend checking them out.

This is one of the best places for your children. My son started taking Jiu-Jitsu classes in September, and in just six months, he has achieved great success. The coaches here are professionals, they take a highly professional approach to working with children, and they pay individual attention to every single child! Discipline was one of my top priorities—and this is exactly where I found it.

Great coaches, great students, and a great community! My child has been going here for over two years and has enjoyed going to the GBK1 program. This school is structured, safe, and clean. They are dedicated to the fundamentals and have taught my child to build confidence and discipline. My child's self-esteem has grown. This gym has a very positive culture and vibe. My child has made friends here with her peers in class. I highly recommend bringing your child whether you are looking to help develop soft skills or build technical skills. Jiu-Jitsu is For Everyone. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Structured program (they ensure your child learns the basic movements safely before joining advanced sessions) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Qualified instructors (there are always two to three instructors, and a professor (black belt) is always around, and high-ranking coaches, e.g., brown belts, are around as well) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vibe and culture (very welcoming and ego-free, upper belts helping newcomers) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Transparency in pricing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Schedule (many options available after school hours) I highly recommend you or your child try it!!

Our son attended Gracie Barra for almost three months. We were aware that our active 5-year-old had received corrections during class, but we were never told that his membership was at risk. The evening before his membership was canceled, the owner spoke to me personally and said they would try pairing Theo with an older child. If removal was being considered, I would have appreciated being told directly during that conversation. Instead, the next day we simply received an email canceling his membership effective immediately. We respect their decision, but the way it was handled was disappointing.