Who leads the Future Champions kids’ program at Gracie Barra Highland Village?

The Future Champions program at Gracie Barra Highland Village is directed by a team of certified professionals dedicated to the physical and character development of young students. Under the regional guidance of world-class athletes like Gabriel Arges, the local leadership ensures that the North Texas youth community receives a standardized, high-quality education in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The following individuals are the primary leaders responsible for the kids’ curriculum at this location.

 PROFESSOR SIRILO SANTIAGO

As the head instructor of the academy, Professor Sirilo Santiago provides the technical oversight for all youth levels. He is a certified black belt who has a deep passion for the “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone” mission.

 Educational Pedigree: Professor Sirilo is highly skilled at breaking down complex grappling physics into a “Vocabulary of Movement” that children as young as three can understand.

 Mentorship: He leads the discussions on the “Word of the Month,” such as integrity, brotherhood, and discipline, ensuring that the martial arts education extends beyond physical techniques into daily life.

 Safety Standards: He ensures that the “Art of the Tap” is strictly enforced on the mats, creating a “zero-ego” environment where children can learn and grow without fear of injury.

 CERTIFIED YOUTH COACHING STAFF

Professor Sirilo is supported by a team of coaches who have been specifically trained to work with the different developmental stages of children.

 Specialized Pedagogy: The coaches at Highland Village are experts in using Jiu-Jitsu based games to build motor skills and “Panic Inoculation” in the Little Champions (ages 3 to 9) and Juniors (ages 10 to 15) divisions.

 Technical Evolution: The coaching staff ensures that every child is following the official 16-week rotating fundamentals cycle, which includes essential anti-bullying strategies and self-defense scenarios.

 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (ICP)

A defining characteristic of the leadership at Gracie Barra Highland Village is their commitment to professional standards.

 Annual Certification: Every leader on the mats must complete the annual Gracie Barra Instructor Certification Program. This ensures they are current with the latest safety protocols, background checks, and teaching methodologies established by the global organization.

 Academic Consistency: Because the leadership is certified, a child training in Highland Village receives the same world-class instruction found at any flagship headquarters, allowing for a seamless transition if the family travels or moves.

 THE ROLE OF THE PROGRAM DIRECTORS

The leadership team also includes Program Directors who assist families with the onboarding and progression process.

 Personalized Guidance: They help parents determine the correct tier for their child, whether it is Little Champions I, II, or the Juniors program.

 Goal Setting: The directors work with the professors to track a child’s progress, ensuring they are meeting the requirements for stripes and belt promotions based on their consistency and character growth.

In summary, the Future Champions kids’ program at Gracie Barra Highland Village is led by Professor Sirilo Santiago and a staff of ICP-certified coaches.

🥋 Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village: A Comprehensive Profile

Gracie Barra Highland Village is a top-tier martial arts academy located in Highland Village, Texas, serving the communities of Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Lantana. As an official franchise of Gracie Barra (GB)—one of the largest and most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) organizations in the world—this academy adheres to high standards of instruction, safety, and curriculum.

Here is a detailed breakdown of everything you can expect from this specific academy.

1. Philosophy and Mission

The academy operates under the global Gracie Barra motto: “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone.”

This means the school is not an intimidating “fight club” for professional cage fighters. Instead, it is an educational center designed to make BJJ accessible to toddlers, teenagers, working professionals, and seniors alike. The goal is personal development through martial arts, focusing on:

 Self-Defense: Real-world protection.

 Wellness: Physical fitness and mental health.

 Community: Building a positive social environment.

2. Program Structure

Gracie Barra Highland Village utilizes a standardized, week-by-week curriculum. This means a student knows exactly what they are learning, and if they visit another GB school, the instruction remains consistent.

1. Future Champions (Kids Program)

This is a cornerstone of the Highland Village location, given the family-oriented demographics of the area.

 Little Champions I (Ages 3–6): Focuses on “mat awareness,” coordination, following instructions, and basic body movements. It is heavily game-based to keep toddlers engaged.

 Little Champions II (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical Jiu-Jitsu. Students learn escapes, controls, and the Gracie Barra Anti-Bullying system (verbal de-escalation and non-violent control).

 Juniors & Teens (Ages 10–14): A more mature curriculum that prepares students for the adult program. It focuses on fitness, discipline, and complex problem-solving.

1. GB Adult Program

The adult curriculum is split into tiers to ensure safety and proper progression.

 GB1: Fundamentals (White Belts): The entry-level program. It focuses on self-defense, safety, and the core principles of BJJ (base, posture, leverage). There is usually no full-contact sparring (rolling) in the first few weeks to prioritize safety.

 GB2: Advanced (Blue Belt & Up): Once the basics are mastered, students move to GB2. This class involves more complex techniques, combinations, and live sparring (“rolling”).

 GB3: Black Belt Program: Designed for advanced practitioners to refine their style, flow, and transitions.

1. Private Training

For students who want to accelerate their learning or work on specific weaknesses, the professors at Highland Village offer one-on-one private lessons.

3. The Class Experience

A typical 60-minute class at GB Highland Village follows a rigid structure:

1. Line Up: Students line up by rank (belt color) and bow in to show respect.
2. Warm-up: 10–15 minutes of calisthenics and BJJ-specific drills (shrimping, breakfalls).
3. Technique: The Professor demonstrates a technique (e.g., an escape from the mount) and explains the leverage points.
4. Partner Drills: Students pair up to practice the move.
5. Specific Training  Rolling:

 Beginners: Positional training (starting from a specific spot and resetting).

 Advanced: Free sparring.

6. Bow Out: Class ends with a formal dismissal and handshake line.

4. Facility and Standards

Gracie Barra Highland Village maintains the “Premium School” standards required by the franchise.

 Hygiene: The mats are sanitized professionally every day. Personal hygiene (clean Gi, trimmed nails) is strictly enforced.

 Uniforms: Students are required to wear the official Gracie Barra Uniform (Gi). This fosters a sense of equality and team unity—on the mats, a CEO and a student are equals.

 Atmosphere: The facility is designed to be bright, clean, and welcoming to families. It typically includes a lobby for parents to watch their children train.

5. Instructors and Lineage

The instructors (Professors and Coaches) at GB Highland Village are certified through the Gracie Barra ICP (Instructor Certification Program).

 This ensures they are not just good fighters, but trained teachers who know how to handle safety, first aid, and pedagogy.

 The Texas region of Gracie Barra is historically very strong, influenced heavily by high-level Brazilian professors who settled in the Dallas/Houston areas. The instruction at Highland Village reflects this high-level lineage.

6. Benefits for Highland Village Residents

 Community Connection: It serves as a “third place” (outside of home and work/school) for residents of Highland Village and Flower Mound to socialize.

 Bully Prevention: For local school-aged children, the program provides confidence and tools to handle social and physical aggression.

 Stress Relief: For working adults, the intense focus required in BJJ acts as a form of “moving meditation,” clearing the mind of work stress.

7. Getting Started

The enrollment process at Gracie Barra Highland Village is standardized:

1. Free Introductory Class: New students are almost always offered a free trial class to experience the culture.
2. Introduction: You will likely meet with a Program Director who will give you a tour, explain the schedule, and discuss membership goals.
3. The “Red Shield”: Upon signing up, you receive your uniform and are welcomed into the team.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village is a structured, safe, and family-centric martial arts academy. It combines the rigorous physical training of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a supportive community atmosphere, making it a popular choice for families in the Denton County area.

Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Highland Village

Informations

ADDRESS

200 Marketplace Ln, Suite 205, Highland Village, TX, United States, Texas

PHONE

+1 (972) 439-7411

Who leads the Future Champions kids’ program at Gracie Barra Highland Village?