Why Choose Us?
“Hero Academy and the instructors have been great for our son in so many ways… building self-confidence, reinforcing self-control, increasing focus, building friendships, respect for authority, and lots of fun! This one sport has had so many positive effects in so many areas, I cannot make enough positive comments.”
—Jennie & Carl E., Longwood
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Hero Academy | 225 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Suite 103, Longwood, FL 32750 | 407-260-9279 | info@hero-academy.com
NO CONTRACTS
We do not require our students to sign 3-, 6-, or 12-month contracts. Our students pay by the month, with a 30-day notice of cancellation. It’s important for kids to learn the value of sticking to an activity—especially when it can change your entire life for the better—but we also respect the unexpected.
NO “REGISTRATION FEE”
It has become common practice in most extracurricular activities to charge a “Registration Fee”—just consider gym memberships, gymnastics, and dance classes where the registration fee is often recurrent each year. Members usually get nothing in return for this fee. In fact, these types of hollow fees (“re-stocking fee,” “joiner’s fee,” etc.) are everywhere. At Hero Academy, we have no Registration Fee.
CLASSES ARE DIVIDED BY AGE
Many martial arts schools pack all ages into the same class; to them, more kids=more money. Curriculum is then watered down so that all ages can learn something—at the expense of the older students reaching their potential. This is not the best way. Research has shown that students learn best when they learn together with students of the same age, in an age-appropriate learning environment, with age-appropriate goals and objectives. At Hero Academy, we provide 3 distinctly different classes for 3 distinctly different age groups. Each class has its own curriculum designed to maximize achievement in the areas that count.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Life is hectic, and things come up. Classes are offered throughout the week to allow for changes in schedules. To encourage personal accountability, students choose 2 Primary Class days, but can always make up classes on other days. You can attend as much or as little as you want--if exams are coming up or there’s a big project at work, maybe train one time that week; when things lighten up, train throughout the week!
RESEARCH-DRIVEN
Owner/Head Instructor Michael Hornback has over 23 years of martial arts experience, earned his Master’s Degree in Education, and has nearly 15 years of teaching in public and private schools. Using a mix of proven contemporary educational strategies, along with traditional martial arts, each class is strategically designed to encourage, motivate, and challenge each age group.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
We’re a family-run school, not a franchise, so we get to know our students personally. We’re about quality not quantity. Each new student is a new family member and deserves quality treatment. You’re not a number here, you’re family.
MIXED CURRICULUM
We teach Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts, an innovative combination of Karate, Kung Fu, Boxing, Wing Chun, Aikido, Judo, and Tai Chi. We provide more options for realistic self-defense, self-expression, and personal achievement, and unlike most schools, you don’t pay extra for it—it’s already included in the Cuong Nhu curriculum.
FUN & CHALLENGING
Some schools use fear and intimidation to discipline their students; at Hero Academy we use positive reinforcement, modeling, and age-appropriate teaching strategies. Discipline and success evolve from a love for what is learned, and for those who teach us. Learning should be a JOY for every age. We lead by example--through quality technique, healthy respect, and personal integrity.
BELTS AND TESTING
We do not sell belts. Belts are earned at Hero Academy. What good is a Hero if he or she lacks Heroic Qualities? Even our youngest students discover that through effort and practice, they can achieve their goals; we don’t teach success without effort, but we do teach realistic goal-setting, and an “I can do it!” attitude.