System and method for scanning light across a light-receiving surface. A system for scanning light across a light-receiving surface to project a scanned line on the light-receiving surface has a light beam generator for generating a plurality of light beams. A scanning mechanism simultaneously scans each light beam of the plurality of light beams across the light-receiving surface to project a different portion of the scanned line on the light-receiving surface. The scanning system can be utilized in a compact laser printer capable of printing at a high rate, and in other scanning applications.