Should I put my high school on my resume? It depends on where you are. If high school is the highest level of education you have finished or are working on, then yes, list it. If you have a college degree, a trade certificate, or a few years of work experience, you can usually take it off to save space.
This is a question that many students, job changers, and first-time workers ask. Below you will find a quick decision table, the exact format for listing a high school diploma on resume pages, how to list a GED or an unfinished diploma, and what extras to add if you have little work history. Examples are included so you can copy the style. Employers differ, so also check what the job posting requests.
Quick answer: when to include high school and when to leave it off
| Your situation | List high school? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Currently in high school | Yes | It is your education; show expected graduation date |
| High school graduate with no college | Yes | It is your highest level of education |
| Some college, not finished | Usually list college; add high school only if short on content | College is the stronger line |
| College graduate | No | Your degree replaces it |
| Trade school or certificate | Often list the certificate; high school is optional | Training is more relevant |
| Many years of work experience | No, unless the posting asks | Work history shows more |
| Job posting asks for high school diploma | Yes | Match the stated requirement |
So, do you put high school on resume pages? When it is your top education, yes. When something stronger exists, it is optional and often better left off.
Should you put high school on a resume if you are a student?
Yes. If you are in high school or just finishing, your school is part of your story. List it near the top, because you probably have less work history. Add details that show you are ready for work:
- Expected graduation date, such as "Expected June 2027".
- GPA, if it is strong (many people use 3.5 or above) and the job values it.
- Honors, awards, or classes that relate to the job.
- Clubs, sports, and leadership roles.
- Volunteer work and community service.
Students applying for their first job can read our cover letter with no experience guide to pair with their resume.
Student example
Education
Lincoln High School, Springfield
Expected graduation: June 2027
GPA: 3.7 | Honor Roll, four semesters
Relevant courses: Business Basics, Computer Applications, Spanish II
How to list a high school diploma on a resume
Keep the entry short and plain. A high school diploma on resume pages takes just one or two lines.
Format
High School Diploma, [School name], [City, State], [Year]
Examples
Education
High School Diploma, Riverside High School, Austin, TX, 2024
Education
Riverside High School, Austin, TX
Diploma, 2024 | GPA: 3.4
Member: Robotics Club (Captain), Student Council
Which date should I use?
- If you are still a student: use "Expected" and the month and year.
- If you graduated recently: use the graduation year.
- If you graduated many years ago: you can leave the year off. Some people do this to avoid age bias, though some employers like to see dates.
When your education is short, keep the layout simple. Our simple resume format shows where the education section fits best.
Listing a GED or an unfinished diploma
You do not need to hide a GED or a school you did not finish. Employers care that you can do the job. Be honest and brief.
GED or equivalent
GED (High School Equivalency), State of Ohio, 2023
High School Equivalency Diploma (HiSET), Texas, 2022
Attended but did not graduate
Northside High School, Denver, CO, attended 2019 to 2022
Only use a version like this if you must show some education. Never claim a diploma you did not earn. Employers often verify education, and a false claim can cost you a job offer later.
Still working toward it
High School Diploma (in progress), Evergreen Adult Education Center, expected December 2026
An honest "in progress" line shows you are working toward a goal. Add any job training or certificates you have earned, since they carry real weight.
What to add if you have little work experience
When your resume is short, high school can still be a doorway to useful material. Add these sections as needed:
- Projects: a science fair entry, a class business plan, a website for a club.
- Activities and leadership: team captain, club treasurer, school newspaper editor.
- Volunteer work: hospital, food bank, animal shelter, community clean-up.
- Skills: typing speed, languages, software learned in class.
- Awards: academic honors, attendance awards, sports honors.
Example bullets from school and community
- Treasurer of the Business Club; tracked $1,800 in fundraiser money and posted monthly totals.
- Volunteered 120 hours at a food pantry, packing boxes and greeting visitors.
- Tutored 3 younger students in math after school each week.
- Edited and published 6 issues of the school newspaper.
For help with strong first words, see our action verbs for resume list. For ideas on skills you may already have, read skills to put on a resume, and for the opening lines, our resume objective examples.
A sample resume layout for a high school student or graduate
Here is a simple outline for someone with little paid work. It shows how education can lead the page, with school and community activity filling out the story.
| Section | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, phone, professional email, city and state |
| Objective | One sentence naming the job and one strength |
| Education | School, diploma or expected date, GPA if strong, honors |
| Experience | Part-time jobs, babysitting, family business, informal work |
| Activities and volunteering | Clubs, teams, community service, with simple bullets |
| Skills | Software, languages, certifications such as CPR |
Sample text
Objective: Dependable high school senior seeking a part-time cashier job where I can serve customers kindly and count money with care.
Experience:
Babysitter, self-employed, 2024 to present
Cared for children aged 3 to 9 for 4 families; kept to bedtimes and snack rules set by parents.
Arrived on time for every booking.
Activities:
Soccer Team, Junior Varsity, 2023 to present
Attended three practices a week and helped set up equipment before each game.
Informal work counts. If you mowed lawns, helped at a relative's shop, or watched neighbors' pets, it is fair to list it. Be clear about what the work was, and avoid making it sound like something it was not. A reference for these jobs could be a parent of a child you babysat, a neighbor, or a coach. For how to choose and ask, see references on a resume.
When the job asks for a diploma or equivalent
Many entry-level postings say "high school diploma or equivalent". This is a basic requirement, and the employer or software may look for it in your resume. Here is what to do:
- Use a clear heading named "Education". Do not use a creative label.
- Write the credential in full, such as "High School Diploma" or "GED".
- Place it where it is easy to find, not at the very bottom of a long page.
- If you have a higher credential, list that and consider adding the high school line too when the posting names the diploma. A short line costs little.
Applicant tracking systems are programs that read and sort resumes. A plain heading and plain words help them find your education. To learn more, see how ATS works.
Age and dates
Some people worry that graduation years show their age. There is no single rule. A recent graduate should include the year. A person with a long work history may leave the year off or remove high school completely. Choose what suits your situation, and never change facts.
Examples by situation
| Situation | Education line |
|---|---|
| Senior applying for summer work | Maple Grove High School, expected June 2027 |
| Graduate, working a few years | High School Diploma, Maple Grove High School, 2023 |
| Career changer with a certificate | Certified Nursing Assistant, Valley Institute, 2025 High School Diploma, 2019 |
| Adult learner, GED | GED, State of Georgia, 2024 |
| College graduate | B.A. in English, Lakeview College, 2023 (high school omitted) |
When to remove high school from your resume
Take it off when it no longer helps. These are good signs it is time:
- You have a college degree, associate degree, or trade diploma.
- You have at least a few years of relevant work.
- Your resume is too long and you need room.
- The job asks for a bachelor's degree or higher, and your degree is listed.
Before and after
| Before (cluttered) | After (clean) |
|---|---|
| B.S. in Biology, State University, 2022 Central High School, 2018 Honor Roll, Chess Club | B.S. in Biology, State University, 2022 |
| Medical Assistant Certificate, 2024 Oakdale High School Diploma, 2022 | Medical Assistant Certificate, Valley Career Institute, 2024 |
If space is tight, read how many pages a resume should be for ways to cut without losing your best points.
Where to put education on your resume
The place depends on what is strongest:
- Students and new graduates: Put education near the top, right after your summary or objective.
- People with work history: Put education after experience.
- Career changers with new training: Put education or training near the top if it matches the new field.
Use a clear heading such as "Education". Avoid fancy names that software may not recognize. Our ATS checker can confirm that your education section is read correctly.
A short checklist for your education section
- Is the heading simply "Education"?
- Does each entry have the school name, place, and a date?
- Is your newest or highest credential listed first?
- Did you remove high school if a degree now replaces it?
- Are extras (GPA, honors, clubs) included only when they help?
- Is everything accurate and easy to check?
Read each line from the view of a busy hiring manager. If a line does not help them decide, it is a candidate for removal. A clean education section leaves room for the parts that matter more, like your work, projects, and skills.
Common mistakes
- Keeping high school after college. It uses room that your work and skills could use better.
- Exaggerating. Do not round your GPA up or list a diploma you did not earn.
- Listing every class. Choose only those that relate to the job.
- Listing a GPA that is low. If it is not strong, leave it out. No one requires it.
- Forgetting dates. Include an expected date for current students.
- Ignoring the posting. If it asks for a high school diploma, show it clearly.
- Burying your best material. Put the most relevant information first.
Once your education section is ready, build the full page in the resume builder, or see resume examples for student layouts.
