The West Haven Academy of Karate, Inc., is the oldest full-time martial arts institution serving Southern Connecticut area. Established in 1975, the Academy believes in traditional values. We teach the classical art of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan (The American School of the Way of the Empty Hand Defense) which was founded by Grandmaster and chief instructor Charles J. Ferraro. We augment our training in Tang Soo Do with the art of Hai Dong Gumdo (the Way of the Korean Sword), Aikido, Jui-jutsu, Tai Chi and Philippine Martial Arts (Kali, Escrima, Arnis). 

We are not bound or limited by outdated traditions and methods that are no longer effective. We believe in fostering the principles of respect and discipline, long considered conrnerstones for the martial arts. In this manner our students can fulfill the purpose of our art, that being the development of every aspect of the "self". This will result in an individual who totally integrates his/her intellect, body, emotions and spirit. This integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright and virtuous manner.

We believe by blending philosophies form both the East and the West we can focus our mental and physical training while fostering the American Way of Life. We are further dedicated to servicing our students in the development of their martial training and leadership skills. These skills will assist our members to be not only successful in protecting themselves and their loved ones but will also provide a reservoir of strength from which they can draw from in order to be successful in all other aspects of their daily lives.

Here are some interesting facts concerning the West Haven Academy of Karate:

• The West Haven Academy of Karate (WHAK) was founded as a result of a summertime outdoor class that Grandmaster Charles Ferraro taught at the urging of his co-workers while he was employed at Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company in 1975. This class was conducted early Saturday mornings at Painter Park in West Haven, Ct.
• Prior to changing the name of his school to "West Haven Academy of Karate" it was known as "New England Tang Soo Do Academy".
• The New England Tang Soo Do Academy was started as a partnership in 1975. The partners were Charles Ferraro and Roger PetroRoy. Serving as assistant instructors were Vincent Ginnetti and Dave Nastri.
• Mr. John Hopkins was Grandmaster Charles Ferraro's first student to earn the rank of black belt (dan). He was a transfer student who began his training at the West Haven Academy of Karate as a green belt.
• Mr. Rocco Tirozzi was the first student who starting as a white belt earned a dan ranking from the Grandmaster Ferraro and the West Haven Academy of Karate.
• The second branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate was opened at Clinton, CT. Grandmaster Ferraro opened this branch in 1978. It later moved to Madison and then eventually to Guilford, at which point, Grandmaster Ferraro conferred ownership to Sa Bom Nim Peter Krause. The school next moved back to Madison where its name was changed to "Shoreline Martial Arts" and ownership was transferred to Sa Bom Nim James Davidson and Mrs. Gail Davidson. Shoreline Martial Arts continues to thrive today under the direction of Sa Bom Nim Billy Conforte.
• Grandmaster Ferraro opened his third branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate at Derby, CT., in 1979. The dojang later moved to its current location in Shelton, CT. in 1988.
• West Haven Academy of Karate sponsored its first tournament in 1977. It was called the St. Patrick's Day Tang Soo Do Classic. It was held at West Haven High School. There were over 700 competitors and the tournament ended at 3:00 A. M.
• Sa Bom Nim Joseph DeVita opened two branches of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Greenwich, CT., and then later in Stamford, Ct. Later the Greenwich branch changed its name to "DeVita's Karate" and ownership of the Stamford branch was conferred to Sa Bom Nim John McGuiness and its name was changed to "Stamford Martial Arts".
• Sa Bom Nim Richard Kopf, Grandmaster Ferraro's most senior student, transferred from the Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan and changed the name of his school to "West Haven Academy of Karate" in 1979. This school is still in operation today.
• Sa Bom Nim David Sgro opened branches of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Old Lyme, CT., New London, CT., and Willimantic, CT. The New London branch is no longer operational. The ownership of the Old Lyme branch was transferred to Sa Bom Nim Denise Lee and Sa Bom Nim Dylan Lee who have since changed the name to "Lee's Martial Arts". Lee's Martial Arts has since gone independent, leaving the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan in 2001.  The ownership of the Willimantic branch was transferred to Sa Bom Nim Seth McCalaster who continues to operate it to this day.
• Sa Bom Nim John Chipello opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Bridgeport, Ct. This dojang closed its doors in 2003.
• Sa Bom Nim Tom Cox opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Los Colinas, Texas becoming the first "out of state" dojang.
• Sa Bom Nim Brett Riley opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in New Braufels, Texas.
• Mr. Paul Cavalier opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Boca Raton, Florida.
• Kyo Sa Nim Mike Guidone opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Titusville, Florida.
• Mrs. Betsey Bearse and Mrs. Nancy Weida opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
• Mr. Kenneth Barrett opened a branch of the West Haven Academy of Karate in East Long Meadow, Massachussetts in 2003. 
• West Haven Academy of Karate has sponsored 26 consecutive annual tournaments. The tournament began in 1977 as the Annual St Patrick's Day Classic, then became the Annual Diamond Classic and finally became the Annual Ct. State Tang Soo Do Championships. Many consider this tournament to be the premier Tang Soo Do event in the state of Ct.
• The West Haven Academy of Karate has graduated over 1000 individuals to the rank of black belt (dan).
• The West Haven Academy of Karate has graduated over 60 individuals to the rank of Master with Sa Bom title (minimum of 13 years of training).
• The West Haven Academy of Karate has won the national team sparring event eighteen out of twenty years (1983-2003). Sparring teams from the WHAK have placed both first and second at nationals on six separate occasions. 
• The West Haven Academy of Karate has won the national team forms event twelve years and placed 2nd five years (1986-2003).
• Black belts (Dans) from the West Haven Academy of Karate have won over 1000 Grand Championships in forms, sparring and weapons in various tournaments throughout the United States of America.
• Black belts (Dans) from the West Haven Academy of Karate have won over 50 International Titles in various tournaments throughout the world.
• The West Haven Academy of Karate was the first full-time Tang Soo Do dojang opened in the State of Connecticut by a non-asian instructor.
• The West Haven Academy of Karate - West Haven dojang serves as the world headquarters for the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan art form.