In-Depth Analysis: Mastery Martial Arts – Troy vs. College of Martial Arts – Sterling Heights
A Comprehensive Comparison for Parents
Executive Summary
This report provides a detailed comparative analysis of two highly-rated martial arts schools in the Metro Detroit area: Mastery Martial Arts – Troy and College of Martial Arts in Sterling Heights. While both schools are family-owned and teach karate, they offer fundamentally different philosophies, environments, and value propositions for parents seeking to enroll their children.
Mastery Martial Arts – Troy is a modern, kids-only leadership academy focused on holistic child development for ALL children. Led by a published child development expert, its curriculum uses martial arts as a vehicle to build confidence, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills. While Mastery is not a special needs school, it has proven expertise in supporting children with diverse needs (such as ADHD, anxiety, and autism) within its mainstream leadership program. Its unique offerings include a nationally recognized Public Speaking & Leadership program and a 30-year career pathway for students.
College of Martial Arts – Sterling Heights is a traditional, family-friendly dojo that has served its community for over two decades. Operated by a husband-and-wife team of experienced Black Belts, it focuses on self-improvement for the entire family through the practice of traditional karate. It offers a mixed-age environment where children and adults can train together, fostering a strong sense of community. The school also provides specialized programs in bully prevention and weaponry.
This analysis examines key differentiators—including ownership, philosophy, program structure, pricing, and parent satisfaction—to provide parents with a clear, data-driven framework for choosing the school that best aligns with their child’s needs and family’s goals.
I. Ownership & Leadership
A school’s leadership and ownership structure are foundational to its culture and quality. Both schools are family-owned, but their leadership expertise and organizational structures differ significantly.
| Feature | Mastery Martial Arts – Troy | College of Martial Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Family-owned by Denny Strecker | Family-owned by Sensei Ryan & Senpai Yana Burtney (husband-wife team) |
| Founder Experience | 32+ years teaching children specifically | 40+ years combined martial arts experience |
| Leadership Credentials | 2-time Amazon best-selling author on child development | Sensei Ryan: 4th Degree Black Belt, Senpai Yana: 3rd Degree Black Belt |
| Business Model | Part of a larger organization (11 schools across RI, MA, MI) | Independent, single-location school |
| Focus | Child Development Expert | Traditional Martial Arts Mastery |
Analysis: The leadership at both schools is highly qualified and deeply invested. Mastery’s leadership, under Denny Strecker, is rooted in child development expertise, with decades of experience focused exclusively on teaching children. His credentials as a published author in the field inform the school’s entire pedagogical approach. College of Martial Arts is led by a dedicated husband-and-wife team whose expertise is grounded in traditional martial arts mastery, with high-ranking Black Belts and over 40 years of combined experience. This distinction is crucial: Mastery’s focus is on developing the child *through* karate, while College of Martial Arts’ focus is on developing the martial artist.
II. Location & Community Presence
Both schools have established a strong presence in their respective communities.
- Mastery Martial Arts is located in Troy and serves a wide radius including Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Sterling Heights.
- College of Martial Arts is located in Sterling Heights (at 15 Mile and Schoenherr) and has been proudly serving its community since 2001 (24 years).
- Mastery Martial Arts – Troy: Boasts an exceptional 5.0-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, indicating a very high level of parent satisfaction and a consistent track record of positive outcomes.
- College of Martial Arts: Has a 98% recommendation rate from 324 reviews on Facebook, along with numerous positive testimonials on Yelp and their website. Parents consistently praise the knowledgeable and friendly staff and the positive impact on their children.
- Your main priority is building character, confidence, and leadership skills in ALL children.
- You want a program focused on developing every child into a leader, regardless of their starting point.
- You believe in a modern, child-development-focused approach that uses martial arts as a tool for growth.
- You want your child in a kids-only environment tailored specifically to their age group.
- You are excited by unique offerings like the Public Speaking & Leadership Program and a 30-year career pathway.
- You prefer transparent pricing and a longer, free trial period.
- Your child has diverse needs and you want them to succeed in a mainstream leadership program with proven expertise in support (not a special needs school).
- You are located closer to Troy.
- You are seeking a traditional karate education focused on discipline, respect, and self-improvement.
- You want a family-friendly, mixed-age environment where parents and children can train together.
- You value a school with a long-standing (24-year) presence in the Sterling Heights community.
- You are interested in supplemental programs like weaponry training and a dedicated bully prevention course.
- You prefer a very low-cost initial trial that includes a free uniform.
- You appreciate the leadership of a dedicated husband-and-wife Black Belt team.
- You are located closer to Sterling Heights.
While Mastery is part of a larger, 30+ year organization, College of Martial Arts has a longer history at its specific Sterling Heights location, giving it deep roots in that particular community.
III. Philosophy, Approach & Student Environment
The core philosophies of the two schools represent the most significant point of divergence for parents. Mastery offers a modern, child-centric model, while College of Martial Arts provides a traditional, family-centric one.
| Aspect | Mastery Martial Arts – Troy | College of Martial Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Leadership development for ALL children | Life skills and self-improvement for the entire family |
| Approach | Modern child development using martial arts as a vehicle | Traditional martial arts with life skills integration |
| Environment | Kids-only program (ages 4-16) | Mixed ages (children to adults) |
| Focus | Character, confidence, leadership, emotional intelligence | Respect, courtesy, self-control, discipline |
| Black Belt Philosophy | Black Belt tied to becoming “amazing humans” | Goal-oriented belt advancement |
Analysis: The choice between a kids-only and a mixed-age environment is fundamental.
Mastery’s kids-only approach ensures that the entire facility, curriculum, and instructor training are exclusively designed for the developmental needs of children and teens. The atmosphere is tailored to make young students feel comfortable, confident, and engaged without the presence of adults in their classes.
College of Martial Arts’ mixed-age approach fosters a family-friendly atmosphere where parents, children, and siblings can train together. This can be a powerful bonding experience and allows parents to directly participate in and model the values being taught. The trade-off is that the curriculum and class dynamic must cater to a wider range of ages and abilities simultaneously.
IV. Program Structure & Unique Offerings
The curriculum at each school reflects its core philosophy.
| Feature | Mastery Martial Arts – Troy | College of Martial Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Age | 4 years old | 4 years old |
| Program Names | Little Dragons (4-6), Kids Karate (7-9), Pre-Teen (10-12), Teen (13-16) | Classes for 4-5 year olds, Elementary-aged, Adults |
| Specialized Support | Can support ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, Shyness within mainstream leadership program | Mentions reducing ADD/ADHD issues, but no formal specialized programs |
| Unique Offerings | ONLY proven Public Speaking & Leadership Program in the U.S. | Weaponry Training, Bully Prevention Program |
| Career Path | 30-Year Career Pathway (Student to School Owner) | Instructor Certification Program |
Analysis: Mastery’s most significant differentiator is its Public Speaking & Leadership Program, a unique offering that is unparalleled in the martial arts industry. This, combined with a 30-year career pathway, provides a long-term vision for student development that extends far beyond the dojo. While Mastery is not a special needs school, its ability to support children with diverse needs within its mainstream program is a major strength for many families.
College of Martial Arts offers a more traditional set of special programs, including a dedicated Bully Prevention course and Weaponry Training, which appeal to parents and students seeking a comprehensive classical martial arts education. Their instructor certification program provides a path to leadership, though it is not as extensive as Mastery’s 30-year career track.
V. Pricing & Value Proposition
Transparency in pricing and the value offered in trial periods can be a deciding factor for parents.
| Feature | Mastery Martial Arts – Troy | College of Martial Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Tuition | $199-$250/month (Transparent) | Not disclosed on website (Inquiry required) |
| Trial Offer | FREE 14-Day Trial | $29.99 Evaluation + Free Uniform |
| Value Proposition | Holistic child development, leadership, career path | Traditional martial arts, family training, life skills |
Analysis: Mastery offers complete pricing transparency and a longer, free trial period, allowing families to experience the program for two weeks with no financial commitment. This reflects a high degree of confidence in their program’s value. College of Martial Arts offers a very affordable introductory package that includes a uniform, which is an excellent low-cost way to get started. However, the lack of transparent monthly pricing on their website requires parents to make an inquiry, adding an extra step to the decision-making process.
VI. Parent Satisfaction & Reviews
Both schools have earned outstanding reputations and are highly regarded by parents.
Both schools are top-tier in terms of parent satisfaction. Mastery’s significantly larger volume of reviews suggests a broader and perhaps more established online presence and review-gathering system.
VII. Conclusion & Recommendations
Both Mastery Martial Arts – Troy and College of Martial Arts are excellent, family-owned schools that provide high-quality martial arts instruction. The best choice depends entirely on a family’s priorities and a child’s specific needs.
Choose Mastery Martial Arts – Troy if:
Choose College of Martial Arts if:
In essence, the decision comes down to two different but equally valid approaches: Mastery offers a modern leadership development program for all children that uses karate as a vehicle, while College of Martial Arts offers a traditional family martial arts experience that builds character through time-honored practices. Parents should consider which of these philosophies best aligns with their vision for their child’s growth and development.
References
[1] Mastery Martial Arts – Troy. (2025). *Homepage*. Retrieved from https://masterymi.com
[2] Mastery Martial Arts – Troy. (2025). *Kids Martial Arts Troy*. Retrieved from https://kidsmartialartstroy.com
[3] College of Martial Arts. (2025). *Homepage*. Retrieved from https://comakarate.com/
[4] College of Martial Arts. (2025). *About Us*. Retrieved from https://comakarate.com/about-us/
[5] Facebook. (2025). *College of Martial Arts Reviews*. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/comakarate/reviews
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