Orange County
Programs in Orange County
We run martial arts-based leadership programs for high school and college students in Orange County, California, at our home dojo in Irvine and with partners across the county.
Ikazuchi Dojo, Irvine
Where Budo Scholar is built
Our home in Irvine is our innovation lab. New curriculum is developed and tested here with real students before it reaches young martial artists across the country. It is where we teach students for university credit, and where we host workshops and events for students throughout the year.
Accredited curriculum
Martial Arts and Leadership, developed through our accredited program at UC Irvine, is taught here as a course that carries academic credit.
Martial arts
Beginner-friendly training in aikido, Kali and Brazilian jiu jitsu, taught by our own instructors.
Workshops and events
Leadership workshops, speaker events and community gatherings for students, alumni and mentors.
What comes next. We are working toward summer academies that bring top Budo Scholars from across the country to Irvine, to train with world class martial artists and learn from leaders across industries.
Partnerships
Who we work with
We also bring leadership programming to students through partners across Orange County, from the university to community organizations.
UC Irvine
We teach Martial Arts and Leadership, an accredited course, for UC Irvine's Division of Undergraduate Education, and run programs for UCI's Summer Bridge program.
We also partner with groups across the university on programs and events for students.
Simon Scholars
Simon Scholars supports students who show leadership potential, from their junior year of high school through the start of a career, with scholarships, college guidance and leadership development.
Each year we run Junior Leadership Day with them, a full day leadership intensive for their high school juniors.
TGR Learning Lab
The TGR Foundation's learning lab in Anaheim gives local students free access to STEAM, health and wellbeing, and college and career programs.
We run a self defense and confidence course there for middle and high school students.
Project Hope Alliance
Project Hope Alliance works to end the cycle of homelessness one child at a time, partnering with Orange County schools so students get the guidance and resources to do well inside and outside the classroom.
We work alongside them for the students they serve.
Get involved
How to join
UC Irvine students
Martial Arts and Leadership is open to UCI students through WebReg.
In Orange County
For programs, workshops and events near you, write to us and we'll send details.
Anywhere in the country
Budo Scholar is the same curriculum, delivered online, with students training at a martial arts school near them. It opens nationally in early 2027.