The short answer is: it depends on your situation. For most high school students and recent graduates, yes, listing your high school on a resume can help you land your first job or internship. But for adults with several years of work experience, it usually becomes irrelevant. Your resume should focus on what is most recent and relevant to the job you want.
When High School Matters Most
If you are currently in high school or have graduated within the last two or three years, your high school education is one of your strongest credentials. Employers understand that you may not have a long work history, so they rely on your school achievements to gauge your responsibility and skills.
Include your high school if you have strong grades, honors courses, or leadership roles in extracurricular activities. Even a part-time job or volunteer work during high school can be listed to show reliability.
What to Include from High School
- Your high school name and location
- Graduation date (or expected graduation year)
- GPA if it is 3.0 or higher
- Relevant coursework, especially if it relates to the job
- Honors, awards, or Advanced Placement (AP) classes
- Extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership or teamwork
When High School Doesn’t Belong on Your Resume
Once you have completed at least two years of college or have two or more years of full-time work experience, your high school information is no longer needed. Employers care more about your college degree, certifications, and recent job history. Including high school can make you look inexperienced.
If you earned a GED, you can list that instead of high school. It is equally valid for most employers, especially if you have other qualifications.
When to Remove High School from Your Resume
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Recent high school graduate (0-1 year after graduation) | Keep high school on resume |
| Current college student with no work experience | Keep high school but put college first |
| College graduate or current student with internship | Remove high school entirely |
| Professional with 2+ years of full-time work | Remove high school entirely |
| High school dropout who later earned GED | List GED, consider high school only if recent |
What to Put in Place of High School
If you decide to omit high school, replace that space with something more valuable. For students still in school, list your current college or any dual‑enrollment courses. For working adults, emphasize certifications, training programs, or professional development courses.
Consider adding a “Skills” section that highlights abilities like communication, teamwork, and technical know‑how. Employers often value these more than where you attended school.
Alternative Sections for Your Resume
- Relevant coursework or projects
- Volunteer experience
- Certifications (e.g., CPR, first aid, software proficiency)
- Extracurricular leadership roles
Tips for High School Students Building a Resume
If you are in high school and have never written a resume, start by listing any job, even babysitting or lawn mowing. Volunteer work also counts. Use a simple format with your name, contact info, education, and experience.
Focus on transferable skills: punctuality, communication, problem‑solving. Don’t worry if your resume is short – one page is perfectly fine for a student. Use action verbs like “organized,” “assisted,” or “led” to describe what you did.
How to Handle Limited Experience
You can include school projects that required teamwork or research. If you were part of a club or sports team, mention that under “Activities” and briefly describe your role. Also consider adding a “Highlights” box at the top with three or four bullet points summarizing your best qualities.
Finally, ask a teacher, counselor, or parent to review your resume. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes and help you improve.
In summary, the importance of high school on a resume fades as you gain more education and work experience. For current students and recent grads, it is a valuable tool. For everyone else, it is safe to leave it off. The key is to always put your most current and relevant information first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my high school on a resume if I am in college?
If you are a college freshman or sophomore with no work experience, you can include your high school temporarily, but place your college information first. Once you complete two years of college or have a relevant internship, remove high school.
Does a high school diploma matter more than a GED on a resume?
Most employers treat a GED the same as a high school diploma, especially if you have other qualifications. The key is to show that you have completed secondary education; the format matters less than your overall experience.
What if I dropped out of high school and later got a GED?
List only your GED and the year you earned it. Do not include your incomplete high school attendance. Focus on any certifications, job training, or work experience you have gained since.
Can I leave high school off my resume if I have been working for 10 years?
Yes, you should definitely leave it off. After many years of professional experience, employers are interested in your recent job history and any college degrees, not where you went to high school.
