How can I tell if my martial arts studio is credible?

[ChannelleCooper]

I am taking tae kwon do at a martial arts studio right now and I am wondering how I can tell if they are legitimate and not just trying to make money off me. The teachers seem very knowledgeable and I am learning a lot.
I will tell you the basic class structure. It is an hour long, 20 minutes of stretching, 20 minutes of kicking, and then 20 minutes of technique. (one class a week is more centered on self defense) and then there are two sparring days throughout the week. (but I can't participate in sparring for a little, until I learn how to kick better.) Anyways I was mainly wondering because I saw this girl in class the other day (she was 10) and she was pretty terrible, but she had a black belt. I'm not really sure if this studio gave her the belt or if she got it from another place, but basically the instructor seemed kind of frustrated with her because she was doing her kicks really poorly (however her 'form' was pretty good). On the the other hand there is this boy my age that has a black belt but he is actually extremely skilled....so how can I tell if this dojo is legitimate? They haven't promised me a black belt or made any ridiculous clames such as "black belt in two years" or anything. So is there a way that I can tell?
Also there is a lot of respect and korean words in class. We have to bow to the flags and the "Master" after class and we have to call everyone "sir or ma'am" we also have a student pledge that we recite and they mention that tae kwon do is also very much about philosophy as well as technique... :]
Sorry just thought I would add that if it helps at all...
oh yeah...sorry 'studio' is my word not theirs haha I used to take ballet at a dance studio. :]

 

[Eleanor]

Could be either way from your description. If you as a beginner can spot a sub-standard dan grade there may be a problem, but it is possible that the girl in question got her belt from some dodgy club and your masters honoured her grade when she transfered to this dojo.

Go and watch classes at other dojos offering traditional martial arts and compare what you see. I don't think comparing a MMA or kickboxing class will help as their discipline and structure isn't the same as traditional art forms. Things like other taekwondo dojos, karate, judo, aikido should give you some insight and comparison. You don't have to tell them you're checking out your own club unless you want to.

You did mention the money, so also find out about the cost of training and equipment at the dojos you look at.

 

[Mark]

1stly cngrats on tekin up a martial art.2nd,peace f advice,try nt 2 luk at wat atha pips ur doin wen u in dojo,if ur cnvincd that ur learnin then dnt quit coz sme1 z wearin wat u feel z a wrng colourd belt 4 them.(afta all a belt wz only meant 2 hld trousr up)...

 

[Shienaran]

No self respecting traditional martial arts dojo would ever call itself a martial arts studio.