Yes, you generally need to include your high school education on your resume, especially if you haven’t completed any higher education or if your high school achievements are particularly relevant to the opportunity you’re pursuing. It’s a foundational piece of your educational background that showcases your commitment to learning.
Navigating the world of resumes can feel a bit like trying to solve a puzzle, can’t it? One question that pops up often is about including your high school education. It’s a common point of confusion, especially when you’re just starting out or when you’re applying for opportunities where your latest academic achievements might seem more important.
Don’t worry! I’m here to help clear things up. Think of me as your friendly guide through this process. We’ll break down exactly when and how to include your high school education on your resume, making sure it highlights your strengths effectively. Ready to make your resume shine?
When Should You Definitely Include High School Education on Your Resume?
Including your high school education on your resume is a smart move in several situations. It’s not just about filling space; it’s about presenting a complete picture of your academic journey, especially when you’re early in your career or academic pursuits.
1. You Haven’t Started or Completed College/University
This is perhaps the most straightforward scenario. If you are currently in high school, have recently graduated, or are applying for jobs before attending or completing post-secondary education, your high school diploma or equivalent is your primary educational credential. Employers and scholarship committees will look to this as proof of your foundational academic qualifications.
2. You’re Applying for Entry-Level Positions
Many entry-level jobs, especially those that don’t require a college degree, will be interested in your high school achievements. This could include your GPA, relevant coursework, honors, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your work ethic and skills.
3. You’re Applying for Scholarships or Grants
For scholarships, particularly those targeted at high school students or recent graduates, your high school record is crucial. It often forms a significant part of the evaluation criteria. Even for scholarships for higher education, your high school performance can be important, especially if it showcases a strong academic foundation or leadership.
4. Your High School Had a Specific Focus or Strong Reputation
Did you attend a specialized high school, like a STEM academy, an arts magnet, or a highly regarded preparatory school? Mentioning this can add prestige and context to your education, especially if the school’s focus aligns with the opportunity you’re seeking.
5. You’re Transitioning Careers and Your High School Achievements Are Relevant
In some unique cases, if you’re making a significant career change and your high school achievements (like winning a specific competition, a relevant project, or a specialized program) are directly transferable or highly relevant to your new field, it might be worth including.
When Might You Consider Omitting High School Education?
While generally recommended, there are times when you might choose to exclude your high school information to keep your resume concise and focused on more recent or advanced qualifications.
1. You Have a College Degree or Higher
Once you have earned a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or a postgraduate degree, it’s standard practice to list your most recent and highest level of education first. In most cases, the details of your high school become less relevant. Your college degree signals that you’ve met a higher academic standard.
2. Your High School is Very Far in the Past and Irrelevant
If you graduated high school many years ago and have extensive work experience or advanced degrees, explicitly listing your high school can clutter your resume and detract from more impactful information. Focus on your most recent and relevant qualifications.
3. Space is Limited and Other Experiences Are More Compelling
On a resume, every word counts. If you’re struggling to fit all your relevant work experience, skills, and achievements onto one page, and your high school education is not particularly outstanding or relevant, you might choose to omit it in favor of more impactful content.
How to Format High School Education on Your Resume
Presenting your high school education clearly and professionally is key. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Essential Information to Include:
- Name of Institution: The full, official name of your high school.
- Location: City and State (or Country if international).
- Degree/Diploma Earned: High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Graduation Date (or Expected Graduation Date): Month and Year.
Optional (But Often Recommended) Information:
- GPA: Only if it’s strong (e.g., 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale) and you are a recent graduate or it’s a specific requirement.
- Honors and Awards: Dean’s List (if applicable from high school), academic awards, scholarships received.
- Relevant Coursework: Specific classes that directly relate to the job or scholarship (e.g., AP Calculus, Advanced Biology, Creative Writing).
- Extracurricular Activities/Leadership: Key roles in clubs, sports captaincies, significant volunteer work.
- Thesis/Major Project: If you completed a significant academic project.
Example Formatting:
Here are a few ways to format your high school education, depending on your situation:
Scenario 1: Current High School Student Applying for a Scholarship
EDUCATION [Your High School Name], [City, State] Expected Graduation: June 2025 GPA: 3.8/4.0 Honors: National Honor Society, AP Scholar Relevant Coursework: AP English Literature, AP Calculus BC, Organic Chemistry Honors
Scenario 2: Recent High School Graduate Applying for an Entry-Level Job
EDUCATION [Your High School Name], [City, State] High School Diploma, June 2023 GPA: 3.6/4.0 Awards: Valedictorian, Science Fair Winner (2023)
Scenario 3: You Have a College Degree, but High School is Still Relevant (e.g., Specialized Program)
EDUCATION [University Name], [City, State] Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, May 2022 GPA: 3.7/4.0, Magna Cum Laude [Your High School Name], [City, State] High School Diploma, June 2018 Specialized Program: STEM Focus, Graduated with Honors
Tip: When listing multiple educational institutions, always list your most recent or highest degree first. If your high school is your highest level of education, it goes at the top.
Where to Place High School Education on Your Resume
The placement of your high school education section is strategic. It should be where it has the most impact and relevance.
1. At the Top (Under Contact Information)
If you are currently a high school student, a recent graduate without further education, or applying for scholarships where high school performance is paramount, place your education section prominently near the top of your resume. This immediately informs the reader about your foundational academic background.
2. Below College/University Education
If you have completed or are currently pursuing a college degree, your college education should be listed first in the education section. Your high school information can then follow, usually with less detail unless specific achievements are highly relevant.
3. Within a Chronological Skills-Based Resume
In some resume formats, education might be integrated differently. However, for most beginner-friendly resumes, a dedicated “Education” section is the clearest approach.
Key Considerations for Scholarship Applications
When applying for scholarships, your high school education is often a critical component. Scholarship committees use this information to assess your academic potential, commitment, and suitability for their program.
1. GPA and Academic Rigor
Many scholarships have minimum GPA requirements. Highlighting your GPA, especially if it’s strong, is essential. Additionally, mentioning advanced courses (like AP, IB, or honors classes) demonstrates you’ve challenged yourself academically.
2. Extracurricular Activities and Leadership
Scholarships often look beyond academics. Your involvement in clubs, sports, volunteer work, and leadership roles during high school can be very persuasive. These activities showcase your well-roundedness, time management skills, and leadership potential.
3. Awards and Recognition
Any academic awards, competition wins, or special recognition you received in high school can significantly boost your scholarship application. This is direct evidence of your achievements and capabilities.
4. Personal Statement/Essays
Sometimes, the “story” behind your high school education is just as important as the facts. Use your personal essays to connect your high school experiences, challenges, and successes to your future goals and why you deserve the scholarship.
5. Understanding Scholarship Requirements
Always read the scholarship criteria carefully. Some scholarships may specifically ask for high school details, while others might only focus on college or post-secondary achievements. Tailor your resume accordingly.
External Resource: For more tips on scholarship applications, the U.S. Department of Education website is a valuable resource for understanding financial aid and educational opportunities.
Table: When to Include High School vs. When to Omit
To help you decide quickly, here’s a simple comparison:
| Scenario | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Currently in High School | Include | Primary educational credential. Essential for scholarships and entry-level roles. |
| Recent High School Graduate (No Higher Ed) | Include | Proof of foundational education. Crucial for jobs and further education applications. |
| Completed Associate’s Degree | Consider Omitting/Minimal Detail | Associate’s is higher. Focus on that unless high school achievements are exceptionally relevant. |
| Completed Bachelor’s Degree | Omit or Minimal Detail | Bachelor’s is the primary credential. High school is usually assumed or less relevant. |
| Extensive Work Experience | Omit | Work experience and higher education take precedence. Keep resume concise. |
| Specialized/Prestigious High School | Include (with context) | Adds prestige and relevance if the school’s focus aligns with the opportunity. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making a great resume is all about presenting your best self. Here are a few common pitfalls to sidestep when including your high school education:
- Including High School After Earning a Degree: Unless your high school had a very specific, relevant program, listing it after a bachelor’s or associate’s degree can make your resume look unfocused.
- Listing Too Much Detail for High School: If you have a college degree, your high school section should be brief. Avoid listing every class or minor award.
- Incorrect Formatting: Ensure dates, names, and locations are accurate and follow a consistent format.
- Exaggerating or Lying: Never inflate your GPA or claim honors you didn’t receive. Honesty is paramount.
- Not Tailoring: Always consider the audience. If a scholarship specifically asks for high school achievements, be sure to include them prominently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: I’m a freshman in college. Should I still include my high school on my resume?
A1: Yes, it’s generally a good idea. While your college education is becoming more important, your high school achievements can still be relevant, especially if you have a strong GPA, relevant coursework, or leadership roles from that time that align with the opportunity you’re pursuing.
Q2: My high school was not well-known. Does it matter if I include it?
A2: If you haven’t pursued higher education, then yes, it absolutely matters. It’s your proof of completing secondary education. If you have a college degree, and your high school wasn’t notable, you can omit it to keep your resume focused on your higher achievements.
Q3: What if my high school GPA was low, but my college GPA is good?
A3: If your college GPA is strong, focus on that. You can omit your high school GPA. If you feel your high school GPA doesn’t accurately reflect your academic abilities due to specific circumstances, you might address it briefly in a cover letter or interview, but generally, let your current academic performance speak for itself.
Q4: I got my GED. How should I list that?
A4: Treat your GED similarly to a high school diploma. You would list the issuing body (e.g., “General Educational Development (GED)”), the date you received it, and the state or entity that issued it. You can also include any relevant scores or honors if applicable.
Q5: Can I include high school activities even if I have a college degree?
A5: Only if those activities are highly relevant to the job or scholarship you’re applying for and you don’t have more recent, comparable experiences. For instance, if you were president of a debate club in high school and are applying for a debate scholarship, it might be worth mentioning, but usually, college-level activities take precedence.
Q6: How far back should I go with education?
A6: Generally, you should list your highest degree first. If you have a doctorate, you might not need to list your bachelor’s or high school. If you have a bachelor’s, you usually omit high school. The rule of thumb is to list your most recent and relevant educational qualifications.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to include your high school education on your resume is about presenting a clear, relevant, and impactful picture of your qualifications. For students currently in high school, recent graduates, or those applying for specific opportunities where high school achievements are key, it’s a vital piece of information.
As you progress in your academic and professional journey, your focus will naturally shift to higher education and work experience. Remember to always tailor your resume to the specific opportunity. By understanding when and how to present your high school education, you’re one step closer to crafting a resume that truly opens doors. Keep learning, keep growing, and don’t hesitate to put your best foot forward!