Deciding how to present your high school education on a resume is a frequent query for many job seekers. For those at the beginning of their professional journey or those whose careers have not included higher education, this section can be an important part of their resume. Understanding when and how to include this information can effectively showcase your qualifications, and this guide offers clear instructions to represent your high school experience accurately.
When to Include Your High School Education
The decision to list your high school education largely depends on your current educational and professional standing. For current high school students and recent graduates with minimal college experience, including your high school information is standard practice. It serves as your primary educational qualification and demonstrates a foundational level of learning, which is relevant for entry-level positions or internships.
This information is also useful if you have attended some college but did not complete a degree. In this scenario, your high school diploma is your highest completed credential and a necessary component of your resume. It fills what might otherwise be a gap in your educational history.
As your career progresses, your high school education becomes less significant. If you have graduated from a college program with a certificate or degree, you can typically remove your high school details. Employers will be more interested in your higher education, and removing it frees up valuable space on your resume for more impactful information.
What Information to List
Your high school education entry should be clear and concise. Include the official name of the school, its location (city and state), and your graduation date. If you are still a student, list your expected graduation date. These components are the standard, required pieces of information.
You can also include optional details if they strengthen your candidacy. A high Grade Point Average (GPA), 3.5 or above, can be included to demonstrate academic diligence. Mentioning academic honors, such as being on the honor roll or a member of the National Honor Society, can also be beneficial.
Listing relevant coursework is another optional strategy, particularly if the classes you took align with the job requirements. For instance, if you are applying for an administrative role, mentioning that you completed business or computer application courses can be advantageous. However, only add these details when they are directly applicable and impressive, as the goal is to keep the education section brief and impactful.
How to Format Your High School Education
The format of your education section should be clean and consistent with the rest of your resume. Your most recent educational experience should always be listed first. For a high school graduate, the entry is straightforward and focuses on the core information.
A standard entry for a graduate would look like this:
Lincoln High School, San Francisco, CA
High School Diploma, June 2024
For a current student, it is important to indicate that you have not yet graduated. Clearly state your expected graduation date, which informs employers of your current status and availability.
An entry for a current student might appear as:
Northwood High School, Irvine, CA
Expected Graduation: June 2025
If you have earned a General Educational Development (GED) diploma, state it clearly. The format is similar to a standard high school entry, but you specify the credential.
A GED entry can be formatted as:
State of California GED Program
GED Diploma, 2024
When you choose to include optional achievements, integrate them cleanly into the entry. This allows you to highlight accomplishments without cluttering the section.
An enhanced entry with honors could be:
Westwood High School, Austin, TX
High School Diploma, May 2024
GPA: 3.8/4.0, Honor Roll
Where to Place the Education Section
The placement of your education section is determined by its relevance to the job you are seeking. Position your most compelling qualifications at the top of the document. This ensures a hiring manager immediately sees the strongest evidence of your suitability.
For a recent high school graduate with limited professional experience, your education is a significant qualification. In this case, the education section should be placed near the top of your resume, below your contact information and a resume summary. This positioning highlights your academic background.
If you have gained relevant work experience through jobs or internships, that experience becomes more important. When your work history is more impressive than your educational background, it should be listed first. Consequently, the education section should be moved to the bottom of the resume, ensuring your professional achievements capture the employer’s initial attention.