Washington ( CNN ) -- There was a time not too long ago when 19-year-old Derontae Mason slept in homeless shelters and school playgrounds . Now Mason is heading to college with his sights set on becoming a pediatrician , thanks to the Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma Park , Maryland , a Catholic college prep school for low-income teens . `` I had many obstacles that came across my way and made me want to be like , just forget it , throw in the towel you know ? But the teachers , the staff , friends , family they all pulled together with Don Bosco and helped me overcome those obstacles , '' said Mason . Mason is part of Don Bosco 's first graduating class of 70 students , all of whom have already been accepted to various colleges and universities , said Rev . Steve Shafran , president of Don Bosco Cristo Rey . High school was n't always easy for him . In his junior year , one of his close friends was killed in a drive-by shooting . But his teachers kept prodding him to stay on track , and now , Mason is bound for Potomac State college in West Virginia on a scholarship . `` For me , Derontae is a great story for a lot of inner city kids that do n't have hope , that do n't have somebody to help them move forward , '' Shafran said . Domestic problems and personal conflicts forced Mason out to the streets when he was 15 . As one of six children being raised by a single mom with little money , he was in and out of homeless shelters . A child advocate first alerted Mason 's mother about Don Bosco , one of 24 schools in the country that use the Cristo Rey model : a combination of employment and academics . Students must work at one of the school 's designated job partners . The students are paid when the employer makes a financial contribution to the school . So , as it turns out , the students are working their way through school . `` They 're picking up the culture of that corporate environment . They see the people that are there , and they 're picking up some great skills of interaction that 's helping to mold them and their own character , '' said Shafran . For Mason , Don Bosco went even further , helping to arrange housing so he would n't have to sleep on the streets . Families of other students at the school agreed on a rotation to let Mason to stay in their homes . For Mason , it 's just the beginning . A determined , soft-spoken young man , Mason said he will always cherish his four years at the high school . `` I walk away from Don Bosco knowing I have people who care about me , more determination , perseverance than I can ever imagine . '' CNN 's Lisa Sylvester and NuNu Japaridze contributed to this story .
Domestic problems forced Derontae Mason out to the streets when he was 15 . Child advocate steered him Catholic college prep school for low-income teens . He graduated from high school, got a job at an auto parts store and then went on to get his GED.