Whether you should include your high school on your resume depends on your current education level and work experience. In most cases, if you have attended college or have a few years of professional experience, you can leave high school off. However, for recent high school graduates or those without higher education, listing high school can be beneficial.
When to include high school on your resume
There are specific situations where adding your high school information makes sense. Consider including it if you fall into any of these categories:
- You are a current high school student or a recent graduate with no college experience yet.
- You have a high school diploma but no further formal education or training.
- You are applying for an entry-level job or an internship that requires only a high school education.
- You graduated from a well-known or specialized high school (such as a magnet or vocational school) related to the job you want.
When you include high school, keep the entry simple. Write the name of the school, its location (city and state), and your diploma type (High School Diploma or GED).
When to leave high school off your resume
Once you have at least some college coursework or a degree, your high school information becomes less relevant. You should typically remove it in these scenarios:
| Situation | Reason to omit high school |
|---|---|
| You have an associate degree or higher | Employers care more about your college credentials and relevant skills. |
| You are more than two years past high school graduation | Your work experience and college education are more important. |
| You have a GED and later earned a college degree | List only the highest level of education to keep the resume focused. |
| Your high school GPA is below 3.0 and you have other credentials | Low GPA may hurt your chances; omit it and highlight strengths. |
How to format high school information on your resume
If you decide to include high school, follow a clean format. List the school name, location, and your diploma. For example:
Hometown High School, Hometown, IL – High School Diploma (June 2026)
You can also add relevant coursework or honors if they apply directly to the job. For instance, if you took advanced placement (AP) classes in a subject related to the position, mention it. However, avoid listing every class – stick to the most impressive ones.
Should you include your high school GPA?
Only include your high school GPA if it is 3.5 or higher and you have no college GPA to report. If you are in college, use your college GPA instead. Never list a low high school GPA – it can distract from your strengths.
Including high school activities, honors, and achievements
Extracurricular activities, awards, and leadership roles from high school can be valuable if they show skills relevant to the job. For example, being president of the student council demonstrates leadership, and varsity sports can show teamwork and discipline. Include these in a separate “Achievements” or “Activities” section, but only if they are recent and meaningful. As you gain more experience, remove older high school entries.
Special considerations for college students and recent grads
If you are currently in college, your high school information becomes less useful after your first year. By your sophomore year, your resume should highlight your college coursework, internships, and part-time jobs instead. For college seniors and graduates, high school should almost always be omitted unless the high school has a direct connection to the job (e.g., a specialized program).
| College standing | Include high school? |
|---|---|
| Freshman | Yes, especially if you have little other experience. |
| Sophomore | Usually yes, but only the school name and location – no details. |
| Junior or Senior | No, unless you have a notable achievement like a national award. |
| College graduate | No – list only your college degree and any graduate education. |
Final practical summary
The golden rule is: only include high school on your resume if it adds value that your other experience does not provide. For most applicants with any college or professional work history, high school is unnecessary and takes up valuable space. If you choose to include it, keep the entry brief and relevant. As you build your career, regularly review your resume and remove older education entries to keep it focused and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put my high school on my resume if I have a college degree?
No, once you have a college degree, your high school is no longer needed and should be removed to save space.
Should I include high school GPA on my resume?
Only include high school GPA if it is 3.5 or higher and you have no college GPA to show; otherwise leave it out.
Is it okay to leave high school off my resume completely?
Yes, it is fine if you have college education or relevant work experience that is more recent and important.
Should I include high school if I didn’t graduate but later got a GED?
List only the GED credential and the name of the testing center; do not include the high school you did not finish.
When should I remove high school from my resume?
Remove it after your first year of college or once you have more than two years of work experience after high school.
