A brilliant 18-year-old girl named Brianna Moore has achieved an impressive academic milestone after graduating from high school and college simultaneously.
Brianna earned her high school diploma from 21st Century Charter School while also completing an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts from Ivy Tech Community College.
Brianna's Story and How She Did It
Born and raised in Indiana, Brianna grew up in a low-income family, which made the cost of higher education a major concern.
Because of this, she decided early on to take advantage of free college courses offered through her school’s dual-credit program while still in high school.
Her journey started in middle school when she was introduced to the college and career program at 21st Century Charter School.
During eighth grade, Brianna took an assessment to test her readiness for college-level classes. Although she performed well, she waited until the second semester of ninth grade before enrolling in college courses at Ivy Tech Community College.
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By the time she reached her senior year, Brianna had earned 72 free college credits, enough to complete an associate degree. She studied subjects including Psychology, Algebra, Sociology, Biology, and Earth Science.
She estimated that the credits she earned could have cost around $50,000 if she had paid for them elsewhere. “Since I have to pay for college on my own, the money I saved means a lot to me,” she said.
Brianna’s journey was far from easy. She spent long nights studying and completing assignments while balancing both high school and college coursework.
At the same time, she also worked part-time at a McDonald’s restaurant, often finishing work only to begin hours of homework afterward. Some days, she said, her schedule did not end until 3 a.m.
To avoid burnout, she learned to take short breaks between classes and work, even if it meant just resting for a few minutes.
One of the biggest challenges Brianna faced was the difference between high school and college learning systems.
Unlike high school, where teachers constantly reminded students about assignments, college required self-discipline and personal responsibility.
“My professors treated me like an adult. It was my responsibility to take notes, complete assignments, and study without constant reminders.”
That experience helped her develop strong time management and self-discipline skills. Through the early college program, Brianna also discovered a passion for psychology, a subject she had never previously considered.
Studying Psychology 101 helped her understand human behavior, emotions, and mental health, and it opened new academic interests for her.
Brianna completed her associate degree in May 2020, even before receiving her high school diploma. She plans to continue her education at the University of Kentucky, where she will major in pre-medical laboratory science.
Her Ivy Tech credits will transfer toward her bachelor’s degree, saving both time and money. Brianna hopes her story will inspire other students, especially those worried about college costs, to take advantage of dual-credit programs.
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