Yes, you should put high school education on your resume if you are a current high school student, a recent graduate, or if you have no college degree. Once you earn a college degree or gain several years of work experience, you can remove your high school details. This guide explains when and how to include high school education on your resume.
When Should You Include High School on Your Resume?
Your resume should always highlight your most relevant and recent education. For students and early-career workers, high school can be the main educational credential. Here are specific situations where including high school makes sense:
- You are currently in high school and applying for part-time jobs, internships, or college.
- You recently graduated from high school and have not yet started college.
- You have a GED or high school diploma and no further education.
- You are applying to jobs that specifically ask for a high school diploma.
Once you complete a college degree, you can drop high school from your resume. The same applies if you have several years of professional experience. Your college degree and work history become more important to employers.
How to List High School Education on Your Resume
Place your education section near the top of your resume if you have little work experience. For most high school students, that means putting it right after your contact information and objective or summary. Here is a simple format:
Education
High School Diploma, [Your High School Name], [City, State]
Graduated: May 2026 (or Expected: May 2027)
If you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, include it. You can also add relevant coursework, honors, or activities. For example:
- Relevant Coursework: AP English, Honors Math, Computer Science
- Honors: National Honor Society, Principal’s List
- Activities: Student Council, Varsity Soccer, Debate Team
Keep this section concise. Employers spend only a few seconds scanning your resume. Use bullet points to highlight achievements that show your skills and work ethic.
What If You Have a GED Instead of a Diploma?
Yes, you can list a GED on your resume. It is equivalent to a high school diploma for most employers. Write it as:
Education
GED, [State Name] (or [Testing Center Name])
Completed: [Month, Year]
If you took any community college classes or vocational training after your GED, include those as well. Employers value any additional education or certification.
When Should You Remove High School from Your Resume?
Once you have a college degree, high school becomes less relevant. Remove it to save space and focus on your higher education. Also, if you have more than 5 years of work experience, your professional history matters more than your high school. Here is a quick reference:
| Your Situation | Include High School? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Current high school student | Yes | Shows you have the minimum education required. |
| Recent high school graduate (within 1-2 years) | Yes | Fills the education gap and shows your academic background. |
| College student or college graduate | No (unless no degree yet) | College education is more relevant and recent. |
| Experienced professional (5+ years) | No | Work experience is more important than high school. |
If you are a college student with no degree yet, you can list your college in progress and optionally mention high school if you have room. But once you graduate, remove high school entirely.
Tips for Highlighting High School Achievements
Your high school education can show more than just a diploma. Use your resume to showcase accomplishments that demonstrate responsibility and skills. Consider adding:
- Honors or awards (e.g., Honor Roll, National Merit)
- Leadership roles (e.g., club president, team captain)
- Volunteer work or community service
- Part-time jobs or internships during high school
These details help employers see your character and reliability. For example, if you worked a part-time job while maintaining good grades, that shows time management and dedication.
Keep your resume to one page. Use a clean, simple layout. Avoid fancy fonts or graphics unless you are applying for a design job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When adding high school to your resume, avoid these pitfalls:
- Including your high school GPA if it is below 3.0
- Listing every single course you took — only mention relevant ones
- Writing “High School Diploma” with no school name or date
- Using an email address that looks unprofessional (e.g., [email protected])
Always proofread your resume for typos and spelling errors. Ask a teacher, counselor, or parent to review it before you send it out.
Final Thoughts
In short, include your high school education on your resume when you are a student or recent graduate with no college degree. Use a clear format with your school name, location, and graduation date. Add relevant achievements to strengthen your resume. As you gain more education or experience, gradually remove high school details. Your resume should always tell the best story of your current qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include high school on my resume if I have a college degree?
No, once you have a college degree, you can remove high school from your resume because your college education is more recent and relevant.
How do I list high school on a resume with no experience?
Place your education section near the top, include your school name, location, graduation date, and add any honors or activities to show your skills.
Can I put a GED instead of high school diploma on my resume?
Yes, a GED is equivalent to a high school diploma for most jobs, so you can list it in your education section.
What if I am still in high school and applying for a job?
Include your high school name and expected graduation date, and highlight any classes or activities that show responsibility.
Do I need to include my high school GPA on my resume?
Only include your GPA if it is 3.0 or higher; otherwise, leave it off to focus on other strengths.
