How Homeschool and Charter Families Can Use Their Education Funds for Martial Arts

Helping parents connect with BJJ schools as part of their child’s curriculum

When we first started looking into homeschool and charter school systems for our son, I stumbled across something that honestly suprised me: some charter programs actually approve Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and other martial arts as extracurricular activities for the school year curriculum. Families are given a budget to put toward things like art, music, sports, and yes, martial arts training can count as physical education.

The kicker? A lot of parents don’t realize this is even possible. And a lot of martial arts schools don’t know they could become a vendor. So, let’s break it down for homeschool and charter families who might want to use their education funds to get their kids on the mats.

What Do Charter and Homeschool Programs Offer?

Many charter schools and homeschool networks provide families with a yearly education budget. The idea is simple: parents can choose how to supplement their child’s learning with approved extracurriculars.

These funds can often go toward:

• Art or music lessons

• Tutoring

• Sports or physical education programs

• Martial arts classes

To spend these funds, families usually choose from a list of approved vendors. If a vendor isn’t on the list, parents can often request that the school add them.

Why Martial Arts Fit Perfectly into Education

Martial arts are more than kicks, punches, or grappling. They teach discipline, focus, respect, problem solving, and resilience skills that carry over into every area of life.

For homeschool families, martial arts can count as:

• Physical Education (PE): Structured exercise and fitness

• Character Development: Confidence, teamwork, self control

• Practical Skills: Goal setting, perseverance, handling challenges

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in particular emphasizes problem solving under pressure, something schools love to highlight as critical thinking in motion.

How Parents Can Use Charter Funds for Martial Arts

1. Check Your Charter’s Vendor List: See if there’s already a martial arts school (sometimes even BJJ) approved.

2. Talk to Your Gym: If your child’s gym isn’t listed, ask if they’d be willing to become a vendor.

3. Request a Vendor Add: Most programs allow parents to request new vendors, making it possible for your gym to get approved.

4. Enroll With Confidence: Tuition or fees can often be partially or fully covered through your child’s charter budget.

   
   

Why Gyms Should Pay Attention

This is also a huge opportunity for martial arts schools:

• Exposure: Becoming a vendor gets you in front of homeschool and charter families actively looking for activities.

• New Students: Families with education budgets are more likely to enroll and stay enrolled.

• Community Impact: Supporting homeschool families creates stronger ties in the community.

It’s a win-win: families gain access to structured physical activity and life skills, and gyms gain new students and visibility.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a homeschool or charter parent, martial arts might be one of the best ways to use your child’s education funds. And if you’re a martial arts school owner, becoming an approved vendor can open a whole new door for growth.

At Little Dojo Buddies, we believe every child deserves the chance to train, learn, and grow on the mats, whether through homeschool, charter programs, or after-school classes.

So, next time you’re wondering how to use your child’s education budget, remember: those funds could be the key to your kid’s first stripe, belt, or even lifelong love for martial arts.