Homeschooling To College: Insights from a College Admissions Counselor
Release Date: 04/04/2025
A Florida farm-based, faith-filled Acton Academy
LiberatED Podcast
Today's guest is Michael Bonifacio, the founder of in Fort Myers, Florida. Part of the global Acton Academy network of learner-driven schools, Acton Academy Estero operates on a 32-acre working farm. It opened in January 2024 with 9 learners, and today has over 40—with more than 60 students projected for this fall. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends and entrepreneurial stories at .
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Homeschooling To College: Two Seniors Talk About Which College to Attend
LiberatED Podcast
In the final episode of our 4-part series on Homeschooling To College, Kym Kent and I are joined by our two homeschooled high school seniors as they reflect on their homeschooling experience, what the college admissions process has been like, and how they are narrowing down their many college acceptances to choose the one that is right for them by the May 1st college decision deadline. Check out Homeschooling To College Part 1: Check out Homeschooling To College Part 2: Check out Homeschooling To College Part 3: *** Subscribe to Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education...
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Why a homeschooling mom in Washington, DC created Kids & Culture Camp
LiberatED Podcast
Today’s guest is Jania Otey, a homeschooling mom and founder of , an educational enrichment program for homeschoolers and conventionally-schooled children located in Washington, DC. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends and entrepreneurial stories at .
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An online learning community for self-directed teens
LiberatED Podcast
Today's guest is Terry Travers, the founder and director of , a unique high school experience and teen community that supports self-directed learners on their individual learning journeys. Terry has a background in communication design, ocean science, and sustainable farming. Passionate about alternative education, she began homeschooling her children in 2008 and transitioned to unschooling by 2011. Terry has hosted numerous homeschool classes and summer camps on her farm, specializing in experiences for teens. Responding to parent demand, she opened a farm-based high school, which evolved...
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What is "school choice"?
LiberatED Podcast
Today's guest is Colleen Hroncich, a policy analyst with the Cato Institute's . She maintains the , which tracks private school openings and permanent closures along with tuition and demographic information when available. Each week in the blog series, Colleen shares interesting stories in the education space, from innovative schools and exciting educational programs to inspiring students, parents, and teachers. She is a longtime homeschooling mom of 4 children who are now either in college or who have already graduated. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on...
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Homeschooling To College: Insights from a College Admissions Counselor
LiberatED Podcast
In part 3 of our 4-part series on Homeschooling To College, Kym Kent and I talk to Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski, an independent college admissions counselor based in Southern California who helps students and families navigate the college admissions process. A former public school teacher, Rebecca homeschooled for 25 years, sending her own three children off to college. A member of multiple professional college admissions organizations, Rebecca has been running for more than a decade, working closely with students on their college application journey with a particular focus on homeschooled...
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Our 300th episode! Celebrating founders & families
LiberatED Podcast
Welcome to the 300th episode of the LiberatED Podcast! That’s hundreds of conversations, stories, and insights all centered around one core mission: reimagining education and helping families, educators, and innovators discover what’s possible beyond the conventional classroom. Check out Kerry's forthcoming book: Join our private Facebook group: And sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at .
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The Growth and Impact of Sudbury-Model Schools & Spaces
LiberatED Podcast
Today's guest is Ben Draper, Executive Director of the , a self-directed education center for homeschoolers in Massachusetts. Ben is a graduate of the , where he spent most of his childhood and adolescence before attending college at Tufts University and later earning a studio art degree from the Boston Museum School. Ben is part of the founding team of a new organization, , which seeks to promote the Sudbury model of education as well as individual Sudbury-inspired schools and centers. for Sudbury International's upcoming free webinar on April 5th, featuring graduates from four...
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Microschool in a Mall: Dominque Burgess on education entrepreneurship in North Carolina
LiberatED Podcast
Today's guest is Dominque Burgess, a former public school teacher, visionary education entrepreneur, and a national leader in the microschool movement. As the founder of in Burlington, North Carolina she has successfully launched multiple innovative microschools, including transforming an old Foot Locker in a mall into a thriving, student-centered learning hub. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at .
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Makenzie Oliver on helping teachers to let their light shine!
LiberatED Podcast
Today's guest is Makenzie Oliver, host of the popular podcast and its associated Facebook community. An award-winning public school teacher, Makenzie decided to leave the conventional classroom to launch her own microschool, Lighthouse Learning Microschool and Homeschool Hybrid, in 2020 in Longwood, Florida. She now helps other teachers to let their light shine through education entrepreneurship by offering a "Microschool Masterminds" program and various coaching resources. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at .
info_outlineIn part 3 of our 4-part series on Homeschooling To College, Kym Kent and I talk to Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski, an independent college admissions counselor based in Southern California who helps students and families navigate the college admissions process. A former public school teacher, Rebecca homeschooled for 25 years, sending her own three children off to college. A member of multiple professional college admissions organizations, Rebecca has been running Orlowski College Consulting for more than a decade, working closely with students on their college application journey with a particular focus on homeschooled students and others from nontraditional educational backgrounds.
Check out Homeschooling To College Part 1: High School Prep and the Pre-Application Process
Check out Homeschooling To College Part 2: Common Myths Around Admission & Affordability
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Subscribe to Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.