Listing High School on a Resume: When and How to Include Your Secondary Education

One of the most common questions job seekers ask when crafting their resumes concerns whether to include high school education. The answer depends on several factors including your current educational status, work experience level, and the specific requirements of positions you’re targeting. Understanding when high school information strengthens your resume versus when it should be omitted helps you present the most compelling candidacy possible.

This comprehensive guide covers all scenarios where high school education decisions arise. Whether you’re a current high school student seeking your first job, a recent graduate entering the workforce, a college student building experience, or an established professional wondering about educational history, you’ll find clear guidance on what to include, how to format it, and when to leave it off entirely.

The General Rule: When High School Belongs on Your Resume

The fundamental principle guiding high school inclusion is straightforward: include high school education when it represents your highest level of educational attainment and you have limited professional experience. Remove it once you have higher education or significant work history.

Include High School When:

You’re a Current High School Student As a high school student applying for part-time jobs, internships, or summer positions, your high school education is your primary educational credential and belongs on your resume prominently.

You’re a Recent High School Graduate Without College If you graduated high school and entered the workforce directly without pursuing higher education, your diploma represents your educational achievement and should be included, especially in the first several years of your career.

You’re Applying for Jobs Requiring High School Diploma Some positions specifically require high school completion as a minimum qualification. Including your diploma confirms you meet this basic requirement.

You Have Very Limited Work Experience When you’re just starting your career and have minimal professional experience, education fills valuable resume space and demonstrates qualifications.

You’re in Your First Two Years Post-High School During the transition period after high school, whether working or in college, high school information often remains relevant and appropriate to include.

Remove High School When:

You Have Any College Education Once you’ve attended college—even without completing a degree—college education supersedes high school on your resume. Your high school becomes implied by your higher education pursuit.

You Have Three or More Years of Work Experience After several years in the workforce, your professional accomplishments speak louder than educational history. High school information becomes irrelevant.

Space Is Limited If you’re condensing significant experience onto one page, educational details from high school rarely warrant inclusion over more relevant content.

You’re Applying for Professional Positions Mid-career and senior positions expect candidates with substantial experience. High school education is assumed and its inclusion can appear unprofessional.

You Have Vocational Training or Certifications Trade school, professional certifications, or vocational training often replace high school as the relevant educational credential for specific career paths.

Formatting High School Education Correctly

When you determine that high school belongs on your resume, proper formatting ensures it appears professional and provides relevant information.

Standard Format Examples

Basic Format:

EDUCATION

Lincoln High School | Lincoln, NE
High School Diploma | Expected May 2025

With GPA (When Strong):

EDUCATION

Washington High School | Seattle, WA
High School Diploma | May 2024
GPA: 3.8/4.0

With Honors and Activities:

EDUCATION

Jefferson High School | Denver, CO
High School Diploma with Honors | May 2024
GPA: 3.9/4.0 | National Honor Society | Varsity Soccer Captain

Comprehensive Format for Students:

EDUCATION

Madison High School | Madison, WI
High School Diploma, College Preparatory Track | Expected May 2025
• GPA: 3.7/4.0 | AP Scholar with Distinction
• Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, AP Statistics, Business Communications
• Activities: Student Government Treasurer, Debate Team, Robotics Club President
• Honors: Principal's Honor Roll (4 years), Regional Science Fair 2nd Place

What to Include in High School Education

Always Include:

• School name
• City and state
• Diploma type or certification
• Graduation date (or expected date)

Include When Relevant/Strong:

• GPA (if 3.0 or higher)
• Honors designations (cum laude, with honors)
• Class rank (if top 10-15%)
• Relevant coursework (for specific career paths)
• Academic honors and awards
• Relevant extracurricular activities

Consider Including:

• Athletic achievements (especially for sports-related positions)
• Leadership positions
• Community service
• Special programs (IB, AP Scholar, vocational certifications)

Generally Exclude:

• Street address of the school
• Phone number or contact info
• Names of teachers or administrators
• Unrelated activities or clubs
• Low GPAs or class rankings

GPA Guidelines for High School

When to Include High School GPA:

• GPA is 3.0 or higher (on 4.0 scale)
• You’re currently a student or recent graduate
• The position values academic achievement
• You have limited other credentials to highlight

When to Exclude High School GPA:

• GPA is below 3.0
• You have significant work experience
• Several years have passed since graduation
• Including it doesn’t strengthen your candidacy

GPA Formatting Options:

• Full GPA: “GPA: 3.7/4.0”
• Major GPA (if higher): “Major GPA: 3.9/4.0”
• With context: “GPA: 3.5/4.0 (Top 15% of class)“

Scenarios and Specific Guidance

Different situations call for different approaches to high school education on resumes.

Current High School Students

As a current high school student, your resume structure differs from post-graduation documents.

Resume Structure:

1. Contact Information
2. Objective or Summary (optional)
3. Education (prominent placement)
4. Skills
5. Activities and Involvement
6. Work Experience (if any)
7. Volunteer Experience

Education Section Example:

EDUCATION

Roosevelt High School | Chicago, IL
High School Diploma, College Preparatory | Expected June 2025
• GPA: 3.6/4.0
• Relevant Coursework: Business Fundamentals, Microsoft Office Applications, Accounting I
• AP Classes: AP English Language, AP U.S. History
• National Honor Society Member | Student Council Representative

What to Emphasize:

• Academic achievements relevant to the position
• Leadership roles demonstrating responsibility
• Skills developed through coursework or activities
• Any work-like experience (volunteer, family business, projects)

Recent High School Graduates Entering Workforce

If you graduated high school and are entering the workforce directly, your diploma is your primary credential.

Resume Example:

EDUCATION

Central High School | Atlanta, GA
High School Diploma | May 2024
• GPA: 3.4/4.0
• Career Technical Education: Information Technology Track
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals Certification
• Skills USA Competition Participant

Emphasize:

• Vocational or career-technical coursework
• Certifications earned during high school
• Internships or job shadowing
• Skills directly applicable to target positions

College Students

Once you’ve enrolled in college, college education becomes primary, but high school may still appear temporarily.

Freshman Year:

EDUCATION

University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | Expected May 2028
Current GPA: 3.5/4.0

Highland Park High School | Dallas, TX
High School Diploma | May 2024
GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Valedictorian | National Merit Scholar

After Freshman Year: Generally remove high school unless exceptional achievements warrant retention (valedictorian, major national awards, or specifically relevant credentials).

EDUCATION

University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | Expected May 2028
GPA: 3.6/4.0
• Dean's List (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
• Business Honors Program

College Graduates

Once you’ve completed college, high school education should not appear on your resume.

Correct:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | May 2024
GPA: 3.5/4.0

Incorrect:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | May 2024

High School Diploma [REMOVE - No longer relevant]
Ann Arbor High School | Ann Arbor, MI | 2020

Trade School or Vocational Training

If you pursued vocational training instead of traditional college, that training replaces high school as your primary credential.

Format Example:

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Automotive Technology Certificate
Lincoln Technical Institute | Indianapolis, IN | 2023
• ASE Certification: Automotive Service Technology
• 1,500 hours hands-on training

High School Diploma
Manual High School | Indianapolis, IN | 2021

You may retain high school briefly when vocational training is recent, then remove it as work experience accumulates.

GED Recipients

GED credentials should be listed when appropriate, formatted professionally.

Format Example:

EDUCATION

GED Certificate
State of California | 2022
• Scored in 90th percentile

Or:

EDUCATION

High School Equivalency Diploma (GED)
Los Angeles, CA | 2022

Military Service

Military service often provides educational components that can appear alongside or instead of high school.

Format Example:

EDUCATION & MILITARY TRAINING

United States Army | 2020-2024
• Information Technology Specialist (25B) Training
• Security+ Certification
• Leadership Development Course

High School Diploma
Springfield High School | Springfield, MO | 2020

Special High School Achievements Worth Highlighting

Certain high school achievements may warrant inclusion even after you’d normally remove high school from your resume.

Nationally Recognized Awards

Major awards that demonstrate exceptional achievement:

• National Merit Scholar
• Presidential Scholar
• Intel Science Talent Search (now Regeneron)
• National Debate or Speech champions
• Olympic or national athletic achievements

These can be listed in a separate “Honors & Awards” section rather than the education section:

HONORS & AWARDS
• National Merit Scholarship Finalist, 2020

Relevant Certifications Earned in High School

Industry certifications that remain current and relevant:

CERTIFICATIONS
• Microsoft Office Specialist (Excel) | 2020
• CPR/First Aid Certified | Current
• ServSafe Food Handler | Current

Exceptional Achievements

Valedictorian, salutatorian, or top 1% class rank might warrant brief mention even after college in specific contexts, particularly if you attended a prestigious or highly competitive high school.

Industry-Specific Considerations

Different industries have varying expectations about educational credentials.

Healthcare Entry-Level Positions

Many healthcare support positions require high school diploma:

EDUCATION

Northeast High School | Philadelphia, PA
High School Diploma | May 2024
• Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) President
• Certified Nursing Assistant Course (completed during senior year)
• Healthcare Career Academy Graduate

Skilled Trades

Apprenticeship and trade positions often value high school vocational training:

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Construction Technology Program
Metro Technical High School | Portland, OR | 2024
• 600 hours construction workshop experience
• OSHA 10-Hour Safety Certification
• NCCER Core Curriculum Completion

High School Diploma | May 2024

Retail and Food Service

Entry-level service positions for high school students and recent graduates:

EDUCATION

Jefferson High School | Boise, ID
High School Diploma | Expected May 2025
• 3.2 GPA | DECA Marketing Competition
• Customer Service Training Certificate

Technology Entry Positions

For IT help desk or entry tech roles:

EDUCATION

Tech Academy High School | San Jose, CA
High School Diploma | May 2024
• Computer Science Career Pathway Graduate
• CompTIA A+ Certification
• Cisco Networking Fundamentals Certificate

Creating Professional Resumes at Any Educational Level

Whether you’re a high school student creating your first resume or a professional evaluating what educational credentials to include, presenting your qualifications professionally makes a significant difference. Tools like 0portfolio.com provide templates designed for every career stage, helping ensure your education section—whether featuring high school or advanced degrees—appears polished and professional.

Resume Templates by Career Stage

High School Student Templates emphasize:

• Education section prominently
• Activities and involvement
• Skills developed in school
• Available hours and schedule

Entry-Level Templates balance:

• Education credentials
• Early work experience
• Transferable skills
• Potential and motivation

Experienced Professional Templates prioritize:

• Professional accomplishments
• Career progression
• Technical expertise
• Education (condensed)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Including Too Much High School Detail

Mistake: Filling significant resume space with high school activities when you have more relevant experience.

Solution: Condense or remove high school information as you gain experience.

Including High School When You Have College

Mistake: Listing both high school and college when college alone is sufficient.

Solution: Once you have college education (even incomplete), remove high school.

Excluding High School When It’s Your Only Credential

Mistake: Omitting education entirely when high school is your highest attainment.

Solution: Include your diploma—it’s a legitimate credential that many positions require.

Including Weak or Irrelevant Information

Mistake: Listing low GPAs, unimpressive activities, or information that doesn’t strengthen candidacy.

Solution: Only include achievements that positively impact your application.

Inconsistent Formatting

Mistake: Using different formats for education information throughout the resume.

Solution: Apply consistent formatting to all education entries.

Including Personal Information

Mistake: Adding information like “Voted most likely to succeed” or personal superlatives.

Solution: Stick to professional, verifiable achievements.

Age and Education Timing Considerations

Concern About Appearing Too Young

If you’re concerned about age perception:

• Include graduation year (expected or completed)
• Let your qualifications speak
• Focus on maturity demonstrated through activities

Concern About Appearing Older

If graduating high school long ago feels awkward:

• Remove graduation year for entries older than 10-15 years
• Consider removing high school entirely if you have significant experience
• Focus on recent, relevant credentials

Non-Traditional Graduation Timing

If you graduated early, late, or through alternative programs:

• No need to explain circumstances
• Present credentials straightforwardly
• Focus on achievement, not timeline

Conclusion

The decision to include high school on your resume follows clear guidelines based on your educational level and career stage. Current high school students and recent graduates without college education should include high school prominently. College students may include high school briefly during freshman year. Anyone with college completion or several years of professional experience should remove high school entirely.

When you do include high school education, present it professionally with relevant achievements that strengthen your candidacy. Focus on academic performance (when strong), leadership roles, relevant coursework, and certifications that apply to your target positions.

Remember that your resume should always present the most relevant, impressive version of your qualifications. As your career progresses, more recent and substantial achievements replace earlier educational milestones. High school served its purpose in launching your career—let your professional accomplishments take the spotlight as you advance.

The goal is always to present yourself as the strongest candidate for each position you pursue. Sometimes that means highlighting high school achievements; other times it means focusing entirely on professional accomplishments and higher education. Understanding when each approach applies helps you make strategic decisions that maximize your impact with potential employers.