Homeschool Grads Talk About Their Road to College

Preparations for college can be daunting for both students and parents, particularly if it’s a first for the family. We at HSLDA are honored to witness the success of homeschool students in our community every single year, and so we want to share the stories of three of them.

Kattarina, Caleb, and Rebeca have each successfully completed the process of applying and getting into a college, and they have some advice to share as they take this next step in their education. (Their moms have some helpful advice as well.)

Kattarina Leal: Nurturing a Love for Learning

A Texas native, Kattarina Leal (no relation to the author) recently started studying biomedical science at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. Her homeschooling journey cultivated a passion for learning, and she especially found joy in science and math.

The flexibility of homeschooling also allowed her to explore various interests, such as art and volleyball, to engage in community service, and to help her mom, Marisol Rodero, develop curriculum lessons to benefit other students. (Marisol founded Nobis Pacem, a bilingual Catholic homeschool curriculum.) Kattarina’s passion for science and math shaped her ambition to pursue a career in dermatology, a field she developed interest in through a personal medical encounter.

At 13 years old, she developed a cyst on her arm that looked like a snowman—one small bump on the top and a bigger one below. Her parents took her to the dermatologist to have it removed. The dermatologist initially said it would be a simple process, but when he started the procedure and noticed the cyst was bigger than expected, he saw a more complicated surgery was necessary.

“They told me they could cover my eyes, but I told them I wanted to see everything,” Kattarina said. She was fascinated with the experience. She couldn’t help but observe and ask questions. “After that experience, I knew I wanted to become a dermatologist,” she said.

Kattarina Leal with her father, Ernesto Leal de la Garza

Kattarina recommends that high school students focus on building their “personal brand” by exploring their passions and engaging in extracurricular activities. She also advises teens to keep a detailed record of all volunteer work, leadership roles, and academic achievements for their resume. Finally, she encourages families to take advantage of summer programs and honor societies to broaden academic and professional horizons.

Marisol invited homeschooling parents to seek support and resources beyond their immediate circle. “You don’t learn these things through osmosis,” she said. “You need a guide.”

Kattarina with her mother, Marisol

Marisol is very thankful for her HSLDA membership, because she’s been able to access HSLDA’s educational resources, especially the webinars about high school. “HSLDA has a wealth of resources,” she said. “I recommend parents to become a member and use them!”

Caleb Morato: Embracing Self-Discipline

Hailing from Virginia, Caleb Morato is a business student at American University in Washington, D.C., majoring in entrepreneurship and information technology. He faced significant educational challenges growing up, including a need for intensive speech therapy.

“Learning has always been a challenge for me,” Caleb said. “But I’ve learned to embrace it. Homeschooling taught me that I can do hard things.”

His mom, Karim Morato, tailored his learning experience to his needs, and Caleb was able to overcome his challenges. Karim is a bilingual educational specialist and Hispanic outreach coordinator for HSLDA.

Caleb’s education experience reached a turning point when he recognized two crucial qualities for homeschool students: self-discipline and integrity. He says he lacked the self-discipline to stay consistent in his learning through most of his years in school. He would often fall behind and find himself asking for extra time to deliver his assignments.  

Caleb Morato with his mother, Karim

“It wasn’t until my senior year that I started to rise above these challenges,” he said. “I spent hours listening to podcasts on personal growth to find the key to self-discipline, so I wouldn’t fall behind.”

Karim had first introduced him to podcasts. Additionally, Karim and Franz did regular check-ins and provided him with appropriate tools to finish his assignments on time.

Homeschool students have the benefit of shaping their own academics (alongside their parents), and one of their biggest challenges can be developing a sense of integrity. “When you develop integrity, you develop a sense of self-discipline, and that creates confidence,” Caleb said. “This prepares you for anything, including college.”

When asked about three things he wished someone had told him about learning to be self-disciplined throughout his homeschool years, he gave this advice:

1. Focus on one thing. “Don’t overwhelm yourself. Focus on one area of your life that will have the most impact and create a compound effect in other areas,” he said.
2. Break down an assignment into smaller parts and be extremely faithful in carrying them out. “It can be in any area you want to be self-disciplined in—fitness, spiritual, whatever,” he said.
3. Have the highest amount of self-compassion. “Give yourself permission to go through many errors and mistakes to make a change, because it will take time,” he said.

For college preparation, Caleb encourages students to take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school. He also encourages parents to seek out instructors who believe in their kids’ potential and who can guide and inspire their children to find great learning opportunities.

“I wouldn’t be studying at American University if it hadn’t been for my writing teacher who believed in me,” Caleb said. He was referring to Cheryl Carter, a writing professor and homeschool leader from New York, who helped him overcome his writing struggles, and eventually became his college counselor, alongside Karim.

Karim advises parents to plan for college both financially and academically. Stay involved in your child’s education, focus on their passions and interests, and explore different post-high school programs (teens don’t necessarily have to attend a 4-year college), she said. And involve your student in the process of college research and applications. Finally, understand that learning sometimes comes through setbacks.

Rebeca Reategui's Story: Thriving in a Creative Environment

Rebeca Reategui, a student from Florida, transitioned from a charter school to homeschooling in 9th grade because of the negative learning experiences she encountered. Students were disrespectful to teachers and wouldn’t let them teach. There were drug issues, and the police would constantly come to their school to check for controlled substances.

“If I’d stayed in school, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on academics because of peer pressure,” Rebeca said. “I loved the change because I could study at my own pace.”

Her mom, Olga Hidalgo, added: “This country needs young people to grow up in a safe environment. This is why homeschooling is such a blessing.”

Rebeca found that homeschooling provided her time and energy to explore her interests, leading her to pursue an online degree in computer animation at Full Sail University, which offered her a scholarship. 

Rebeca at her graduation party with all her friends

High school graduation was a huge highlight for her. “I received a diploma and celebrated with my friends,” she said. Her younger brother, Elías, who is also homeschooled, played the piano at the graduation party.

Olga noted the value of homeschooled teens knowing that their graduation is an accomplishment, and said celebrations like these are helpful. 

When looking at degree and college options, Rebeca realized the same thing as Caleb: self-discipline is a must. She did her research on computer animation, job opportunities, and colleges that offered good programs. She also sought guidance from people with expertise.

Olga agrees with her approach: “It’s all about surrounding yourself with people who can help you! You don’t have to do it alone.”

After completing her studies, Rebeca hopes to pursue further specialization in architectural rendering or film and video game design.

Caleb, Kattarina, and Rebeca’s stories illustrate the diverse paths and opportunities homeschooling offers to students and their families. Their experiences underscore the importance of self-discipline, community support, and the freedom to explore personal interests.