The Cohort Model
The core of TFS’ approach is the Cohort Model, a two-generational continuous commitment to children and their parents from 1st through 8th grades in which students are grouped into “cohorts” upon enrollment and progress through a multiyear program continuum together. We began serving 6th grade students in our Middle School pilot program in the fall 2015 and will strategically expand, as funds permit, to serve students up to 8th grade. Our programs follow each child through critical benchmarks in their elementary school years and continue support through middle school to help ensure a successful transition to high school.
TFS is made up of four program components. TFS’ Elementary Afterschool Program builds academic and life skills to develop participants’ ability to attain their personal goals. The Middle School Program supports the critical needs of 6th to 8th grade youth with a focus in college and career readiness. In Summer Camp, participants receive support to build and maintain academic and social skills in an effort to prevent summer learning loss. Lastly, in TFS’ Parent Engagement Program, parents participate in year round engagement activities and events designed to increase their knowledge and skills of youth development and empower them to make use of best practices. TFS works to promote trust, open communication, and parent stewardship of their child’s academic career, and connects with parents through family events, advisory committees, newsletters, regular progress reports, referrals, and expert guidance from external partners.
TFS’ afterschool programs include many unique features, such as aligning literacy instruction with hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities to help participants apply math and reading concepts, build exposure to the sciences, and develop critical thinking skills. In addition, technology is infused into many program components, including the use of an instructor-supervised online curriculum that supports customized academic plans for each student, as well as the use of virtual tools to support our middle school students’ development.
For more information about The Fishing School and to get involved, please visit www.fishingschool.org, or call (202) 399-3618.
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