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                                Tenet #3:     I will live with INTENT so that I may control my own destiny and be USEFUL to the world.
                                                       “I have failed over and over again. And that is why I succeed.”  -- Michael Jordan 

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                                            Tenet #1:     I will show CHARACTER in all that I do, both inside and outside of Makoto.
                                                             “Whatever you choose to be, be a good one.”  -- Abraham Lincoln

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Every dream begins with knowing who you are... what you want... and understanding the type of person you can be. 

Makoto knows about respect. Our roots – our heritage – were built upon the values upheld in the martial arts. We believe in old fashioned values. You call your elders “ma’am” and “sir.” Hold the door for others (because they are just as important as you). Look people in the eye when speaking. And do the right thing, no matter the cost. 

Because if you DO as you would have others do to you, you’ll always be on the right path.

Single parenthood has been full of challenges. The support, reliability and guidance from Makoto has made a huge positive difference to my family. -- Megan

​philosophy

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                                   Tenet #2:     I will show STRENGTH of body and mind in all that I do, both inside and outside of Makoto.  
                                                                                     “Do or do not. There is no try.”  -- Yoda

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Chasing dreams and achieving goals is hard work. There are obstacles. Failures. Defeat. Many times, we get discouraged and either shrink down our dreams or stray from the path that will get us to our heart’s desire.   

At Makoto we’ll teach your children that if you fall down seven times, you get up eight. Mistakes happen and disappointments are a part of life. Failure is simply an opportunity to learn and then make yourself better. And if you want the lead role in the play, or the promotion at work, you have to get up and continue to move forward. Driving on makes you a winner every time. 

It is important to be able plan our own paths in life. And it is also equally important to set the way we travel on those paths. How we DO things matter not only to the type of person we want to be… but where we want to go. 

   Do (n.) -- Japanese for “the way.” 

At Makoto, our DO (the way to success and excellence) is based on the THREE TENETS of Makoto… 


  1. Show Character
  2. Have Strength (of body and mind)
  3. Live with Intent

In today’s world, kids have people making decisions for them in every aspect of their lives. Parents set out their clothes and even pack their lunches. Teachers tell them where to be when and what to study. And with access to social media, kids even have their friends telling them what to “like” every moment of the day.


Kids need to learn to make decisions for themselves – good or bad – and stand on their own two feet.

At Makoto we teach kids to think for themselves. Make decisions and have the self-confidence to own them. All that comes from understanding goal setting. How to create a plan and achieve it. Be accountable to that plan and see it through… even when believing in the plan – and themselves -- gets tough.  

These Tenets are at the core of the Makoto curriculum. The foundation for daily

lessons… weekly discussions… and yearly goals.