kids playing toys on table

Our Programs

We work hard to prepare students for success and our programs have great impact. The DC Office of the state Superintendent of Education ranked our programs 1st in math and 2nd in reading in their most recent evaluation assessing 24 out-of-school time providers.




Site Partners:

  • Houston Elementary (1st to 5th grades) – Ward 7
  • John Lewis Elementary (2nd to 5th grades) – Ward 4
  • Leckie Educational Campus ( 1st to 4th grades) – Ward 8
  • Tuman Elementary (1st to 5th grades) – Ward 1
classroom

Afterschool Program

Safe, enriching afterschool care that boosts academics and reduces risk

  • September to June
  • 5 or 2 Days/Week
  • 3 to 6 pm
  • SY 24-25 Sites, listed above
Enroll
students smiling

Summer Program

Free summer enrichment to maintain skill, explore interest, and prepare for future success.

  • June 30 to August 2
  • 5 Days/Week
  • 11 am to 4 pm
  • Houston Elementary School
Enroll
teacher and student smiling

Parent Engagement

We provide opportunities for families and caregivers to participate in year-round enrichment activities and events designed to build their knowledge about how to reinforce learning at home. These activities include providing resources and tips for families and including them in Literacy, STEAM night events.

The Fishing School Difference

Our programs provide a safe, enriching space for all learners. We combine research-based, hands-on academic enrichment with engaging social/emotional activities to boost reading skills and develop the whole child through hands-on STEM, Arts, and Life Skills curricula. Our turnkey programs benefit students, parents/guardians, and schools by providing high-quality curriculum, trained staff, and materials at no cost to their families. All programs also include recreation time, and afterschool participants are provided daily homework time.

kids playing

STEM

Through weekly STEM activities using curriculum from YES/Engineering is Elementary (from the Boston Museum of Science), participants learn engineering and computer science principles and use their knowledge to solve problems and address problems. Each set of lessons is supported by a culturally relatable book, which engages children in the characters experiencing a problem. The individual units completed through age-appropriate lessons are:


  • Pumpkin Pollinators (Environmental Engineering)
  • Programming Robots (Computer Science)
  • Rescue Shuttles (Aeronautical Engineering)
  • Bubble Bonanza (Chemical Engineering)
  • Building Bridges (Structural Engineering)
kids doing activity

Arts

From September to December, students engage in projects and books exploring various literary genres and then creating original works based on that genre. For example, children will read the autobiographies of famous historical figures and then make a personal autobiography book. Additional projects will include writing poetry, creating inventions, and writing mythological stories. Parents receive information about supporting the love of reading and creative writing at home.

In the spring, our Fabric Arts units will build students' skills and creative expression through weaving, quilting, knitting, and embroidery. A culminating STEAM event engages friends and family members so students can showcase their work, and attendees can participate in hands-on fabric arts activities.

We developed the arts component to provide children with exposure to and inspiration for personal and creative expression. These projects also support the two primary priorities of our programs - building math and reading skills and developing social/emotional skills.

Little African American child boy reading a book on white background. Black kid student portrait.

Life Skills

We use the Second Step curriculum for our Life Skills lessons. A litany of data demonstrates links between social/emotional learning and academic success, which is vital for children's emotional well-being post-pandemic. Second Step believes that building foundational learning skills and nurturing social-emotional competence during elementary school is essential when students are prime to develop habits they will carry with them for life. The lessons focus on:


  • Community
  • Growth Mindset/Goal Setting
  • Emotion Management
  • Empathy and Kindness
  • Career/College Awareness (5th grade only)

SAMPLE Daily Schedule: School Year 2024-25

  • Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

  • 3:15 - 4:15PM

    Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis

  • 4:15 - 5:00PM

    STEM

    Literacy Arts (Fall)/Fabric Arts (Spring)

    STEM

    Literacy Arts (Fall)/Fabric Arts (Spring)

    Clubs

  • 5:15 - 6:00PM

    Homework Help/Dismissal