How to Write High School Education on a Resume

You’re halfway through creating the perfect resume, but then comes the tricky part: listing your high school education. Do you even need to include it? How do you make it relevant if you don’t have much job experience? Let’s dive into the details, ensuring you craft a compelling education section that enhances your resume instead of blending into the background.

Why Your High School Education Matters

It’s easy to overlook the significance of your high school education, especially if you’re focused on moving on to bigger things, like college or a new job. But here’s the truth: Your high school education can make a huge difference, particularly if you’re just starting out in your career and don’t have much professional experience.

For high school graduates or students who haven’t yet attended college, listing your high school education is a crucial way to demonstrate that you have the academic qualifications for a job or internship. It shows employers that you completed a certain level of education and gives insight into any relevant coursework or achievements.

How to Format Your High School Education

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to present your high school education on your resume:

1. List the Name of Your High School

Start by listing the full name of your high school. This is standard information that all potential employers expect to see. If your high school is located in a different state or country than the job you’re applying for, include the city and state (or country).

2. Include Your Graduation Date

Even if you’ve only recently graduated or are still in school, it’s important to include your expected or actual graduation date. For example, you could write:

• High School Diploma, ABC High School, May 2023

If you’re still attending, try:

• High School Diploma, Expected May 2024

3. Add GPA or Honors (Optional)

If you’ve earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher, consider including it, as it demonstrates a strong academic performance. You can also list any honors or awards, such as:

• GPA: 3.8
• Honor Roll (2019–2023)

Remember, this is optional, so if your GPA isn’t your strongest asset, feel free to leave it out.

4. Highlight Relevant Coursework or Extracurriculars

To make your education section more dynamic, especially if you lack job experience, you can include any relevant coursework or extracurricular activities. This could be courses related to the job or internship you’re applying for, such as:

• Coursework: AP Economics, Calculus, Computer Science
• Extracurriculars: Debate Team, Varsity Soccer, Robotics Club

Adding this information allows employers to see that you’ve developed skills beyond the classroom, like teamwork, leadership, or critical thinking, all of which are desirable in any job setting.

5. Focus on Transferable Skills

If you feel your high school experience is lacking, don’t worry. Focus on the skills you’ve gained during your time there. High school is often where we develop our first set of soft skills like communication, organization, and time management. Don’t hesitate to list skills like these, as they are valuable to employers.

Should You Ever Leave High School Education Off?

There are cases when leaving off your high school education makes sense. For example, once you’ve completed a college degree or if you’ve been working for a few years in a professional capacity, your high school education becomes less relevant. The general rule of thumb: If you’ve achieved higher education or more significant work experience, it’s okay to drop the high school listing.

Examples of Listing High School Education

Scenario 1: High School Graduate with Little Work Experience

• ABC High School, New York, NY
  Graduation Date: May 2023
  GPA: 3.7
  Honors: National Honor Society, Class President
  Relevant Coursework: Advanced Placement (AP) English, Economics, Physics

Scenario 2: Current High School Student Applying for Part-Time Work

• XYZ High School, Los Angeles, CA
  Expected Graduation Date: June 2024
  Extracurriculars: Football Team Captain, Volunteer Tutor at Local Library
  Skills: Leadership, Team Collaboration, Public Speaking

Key Takeaways

1. Always include your high school education if it’s your highest level of education.
2. Be specific about your graduation date, GPA, and any relevant achievements.
3. Make your education section as dynamic as possible by including extracurriculars or relevant coursework to show off your skills.
4. Once you’ve moved on to higher education or significant work experience, it’s okay to leave high school education off your resume.

By applying these tips, you’ll ensure that your high school education section enhances your resume, rather than detracting from it. And remember, employers want to see evidence of your skills and potential. Even if your experience is minimal, focusing on your high school achievements and relevant skills can make a powerful impact.