>> reporter: the err of confidence you hear in his voice wasn't there when he was a freshman at don basscostal ray high school. he admits he was intimidated initially. the small catholic school in washington, d.c. finds teens who are inspired to succeed despite the challenges they face, many of them from single parent or even no parent homes. the school's main focus, give them the support they need to get to college. >> i know some teachers here stay until 6:00 at night, 7:00 at night helping us with our work. >> reporter: and all the hard work in the classroom is really just the beginning. what better way to change your perspective on life than to change your location? a place like this law firm where the possibilities are overflowing. the howry law firm is just one of a long list of international companies that employs the students and helps to pay up to 60% of their tuition. >> my freshman year i worked in accounting. my sophomore year i worked in hr. my junior year i worked in ic and this year i'm working in conference services. >> reporter: and the teens not just answering phones when