The 2+2+2 Strategy to Complete High School and College in 6 Years
by Dr. Kuni Beasley

We have pioneered the process of helping students complete high school and college in six years. Our 2+2+2 strategy moves the ambitious student through two years of high school to develop the foundation of skills and abilities to tackle college level courses early, two years of dual credit college work combining the last two years of high school and the first two years of college, then completing the last two years of college. Here's how we do this.

Most community colleges will allow juniors to cross-enroll for dual high school - college credit. Ambitions students can take this opportunity to double up on credit and shave two years off of high school and college.

1 - You have to be advanced and ambitious. If you are not a consistent A-B student and tend to just get by, this is not for you. You have to prove yourself capable of doing college work. This means being mature, responsible, and self-motivated.

2 - You need to make sure you have proper counsel and advice. Do not take advice from anybody who hasn't done this. Certainly don't listen to people who want to pooh-pooh the idea.

3 - Course substitutions. Remember, you still have to meet certain secondary school requirements for a high school diploma regardless of the number of college courses you take and what grades you make. Here is a generic list of college courses and the high school requirements they would satisfy:

• Freshman Composition I and American Literature I (English III)
• Freshman Composition II and British Literature I (English IV)
• US History I & II (American History)
• US Government (American Government)
• Introduction to Economics (Economics)
• College Algebra (Algebra II)
• Pre-Calculus (Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus)
• Speech Communications (Speech)
• General Biology (Biology I) - Some states only require 2 years of science so you might not need this.
• Introduction to Sociology (Elective) - Usually not required for high school, but many colleges require this or similar courses.
• Introductions to Psychology (Elective) - same as Sociology
• Humanities (Elective) - same as Sociology
• Introduction to Computers (Technology)
• Personal Fitness (PE) - Believe it not, most colleges require PE.

Class of 2013 and beyond Arizona high school graduation requirements from http://www.azed.gov/state-board-education/high-school-graduation-requirements/

⁽¹⁾ Math courses shall consist of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (or its equivalent) and an additional course with significant math content as determined by district governing boards or charter schools.

⁽²⁾ Three credits of science in preparation for proficiency at the high school level on the AIMS test.

⁽³⁾ Social Studies shall consist of one credit of American History, one credit of World History/Geography, one-half credit of government and one-half credit of economics.

(*Please note state high school graduation requirements and college admission requirements may vary. Check with your state requirements and the four year colleges and find out the individual college’s admission policy.)

This is provided as an example. Your personal situation may be different, as may your high school requirements.

One factor you need to consider is that you will be taking actual college courses instead of AP classes - which means you get REAL college credit instead of AP credit. Also, because you will already be in college, you probably don't need to take SATs or ACTs (some colleges require some sort of entrance or placement test), and you don't need to worry about class rank.

A second factor is that when you do this, you will enter into a whole new world where conventional rules do not apply. You won't be in any sort of competition for admission or scholarships. Your focus will be to position yourself for a transfer scholarship to a four-year college. Your grades will speak for themselves. Many four-year colleges set aside significant scholarships for junior college transfers. I have worked with many students who received full transfer scholarships to four-year colleges - even Harvard!

A third factor is that you probably won't be getting a scholarship for community college, though some do offer them. You will, however, be able to apply for Federal financial aid. Even if you don't, most community colleges are very affordable.

I can count dozens of students who have done this. Many have gone on to graduate school, medical school, and law school. This might be an option for a more ambitious student who is getting bored with high school.

Kuni Michael Beasley, Ph. D., College Professor, High School Dean, and College Counselor. You need to make sure you have the proper advice when you want to try something unconventional in college. Contact us to see how we can help 1-888-237-2087 ext. 2.

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