The Fishing School (TFS) prepares public elementary and middle school students for success in high school and life by improving their academic performance and life skills; and engaging them and their parents in intensive, multi-year, and research-based out-of-school time (OST) and parent engagement activities. The philosophy of TFS is inspired by the adage, "If you give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will feed himself for a lifetime." Since 1990, our academic after-school, summer, and parent engagement programs have engaged more than 5,000 youth and their families. With 25+ years of experience, TFS combines a deep understanding of industry research and best practices with an extensive understanding of the under-served communities in which we work. TFS now serves over 400 students annually at four school sites through our innovative two-generational Cohort Model, a unique multi-year OST program delivery model that includes academics, life skills, and parent engagement programming for 1st to 8th graders living in underserved neighborhoods in Washington, DC’s Wards 6, 7, and 8.