About
The School of Self Defense offers Martial Arts for Kids, including the Kenpo Kids program, along with options such as Adult Martial Arts Classes, Boxing, Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do classes, and weapons training. The program also offers specialized training through the Kenpo 360 program, Kali program, Wing Chun program, DDP Yoga, Private Martial Arts Lessons, Group Events for self defense, and the Silver Dragons self defense class for ages 55+.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
The School of Self Defense has been open since 2008 and was founded by head instructor Michael Valenti. The school focuses its curriculum toward real world self defense, including stand fighting, ground fighting, situational awareness, conflict de-escalation, and local law, with the core system Kenpo 360 built from the ground up for modern day self-defense situations. Its unique approach is to customize fighting methods to fit specific needs, and lesson curriculum is designed regardless of experience, age, or physical ability, with a long-term program where participants get in shape, learn to protect themselves, and become part of a welcoming community.
The mission of The School of Self Defense is to provide the highest quality instruction in a fun and welcoming environment and to educate the public on all aspects of self defense. The school is described as a local martial arts school for everyone, with a focus on an honest and realistic approach to self-defense, and it welcomes beginners or advanced students to visit free of charge and book a free trial class or get a first class free. Kenpo 360 is described as one of the only fully developed and well-rounded martial arts classes built for modern day self-defense situations, and the Kenpo Kids program is designed to help encourage and build each child’s self-confidence while instilling discipline and structure through physical and mental fitness.
Head instructor Michael Valenti is the founder of Kenpo 360, a Certified Instructor of Jeet Kune Do Concepts, an Associate Professor of Kenpo, a Senior Instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu, and a Level 1 Instructor in DDP Yoga. His credentials include being a 2-time Battle of the Midwest Gold Medalist, a 2020 Mu Lan International Kung Fu Gold Medalist, an IOMAC Gold Medalist, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo, a 4th Degree Black Belt in Judo, and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with over 25 years of martial arts experience including Boxing, Kali, Judo, and Gracie Jiu Jitsu. The school notes that Kali and Wing Chun programs offer a look into Eastern culture’s approach to self-defense, and that Jeet Kune Do classes are for those who just want to learn to fight, with private 1:1 lessons available with Michael Valenti.
Parent and student testimonials describe Michael as an excellent, respectful, and knowledgeable instructor, and refer to Kenpo 360 as “the real deal” and “a heavily tested and scrutinized system of fighting, drawing from high level BJJ, Kenpo, and other martial arts.” Reviews mention friendly and helpful students, a skeptic-friendly no-BS approach, techniques that can be used from day one, and training that includes traditional martial arts as well as self defense applicable to real-world situations. Several testimonials state that they would highly recommend the school, describe the instruction as a phenomenal value, and note that the school worked well for both adults and teens, including families training together.
Last updated May 12, 2026.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
The School of Self Defense has been open since 2008 and was founded by head instructor Michael Valenti. The school focuses its curriculum toward real world self defense, including stand fighting, ground fighting, situational awareness, conflict de-escalation, and local law, with the core system Kenpo 360 built from the ground up for modern day self-defense situations. Its unique approach is to customize fighting methods to fit specific needs, and lesson curriculum is designed regardless of experience, age, or physical ability, with a long-term program where participants get in shape, learn to protect themselves, and become part of a welcoming community.
The mission of The School of Self Defense is to provide the highest quality instruction in a fun and welcoming environment and to educate the public on all aspects of self defense. The school is described as a local martial arts school for everyone, with a focus on an honest and realistic approach to self-defense, and it welcomes beginners or advanced students to visit free of charge and book a free trial class or get a first class free. Kenpo 360 is described as one of the only fully developed and well-rounded martial arts classes built for modern day self-defense situations, and the Kenpo Kids program is designed to help encourage and build each child’s self-confidence while instilling discipline and structure through physical and mental fitness.
Head instructor Michael Valenti is the founder of Kenpo 360, a Certified Instructor of Jeet Kune Do Concepts, an Associate Professor of Kenpo, a Senior Instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu, and a Level 1 Instructor in DDP Yoga. His credentials include being a 2-time Battle of the Midwest Gold Medalist, a 2020 Mu Lan International Kung Fu Gold Medalist, an IOMAC Gold Medalist, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo, a 4th Degree Black Belt in Judo, and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with over 25 years of martial arts experience including Boxing, Kali, Judo, and Gracie Jiu Jitsu. The school notes that Kali and Wing Chun programs offer a look into Eastern culture’s approach to self-defense, and that Jeet Kune Do classes are for those who just want to learn to fight, with private 1:1 lessons available with Michael Valenti.
Parent and student testimonials describe Michael as an excellent, respectful, and knowledgeable instructor, and refer to Kenpo 360 as “the real deal” and “a heavily tested and scrutinized system of fighting, drawing from high level BJJ, Kenpo, and other martial arts.” Reviews mention friendly and helpful students, a skeptic-friendly no-BS approach, techniques that can be used from day one, and training that includes traditional martial arts as well as self defense applicable to real-world situations. Several testimonials state that they would highly recommend the school, describe the instruction as a phenomenal value, and note that the school worked well for both adults and teens, including families training together.
Last updated May 12, 2026.
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