
Struggling to get interviews?
List your high school diploma in your education section, and include the following details:
- School name
- Location (city and state)
- Graduation date (or expected graduation)
Add these optional details if they support your application:
- GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher)
- Academic honors or awards
- Relevant coursework
- Extracurricular activities
For example:
High School Diploma
Lincoln High School | Denver, CO
Graduated: May 20XX
Honors: National Honor Society
GPA: 3.7
Relevant coursework: Business Management, Computer Applications
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Should you put your high school diploma on your resume?
You should put your high school diploma on your resume if it’s your highest level of education.
However, there are many situations where you should leave your high school off your resume.
When to include high school education on your resume
You should include your high school education on your resume if:
- High school is your highest level of education
- You’re currently in high school
- You’re currently in college
When to take high school off your resume
You should take your high school education off your resume if:
- You’ve graduated college
- You have several years of work experience
- You didn’t finish high school
If it’s been a few years since you graduated high school, you’ve likely gained some relevant education and work experience. Employers are much more interested in seeing these qualifications on your resume than your secondary education.
Tips for making your high school education stand out
Your high school education can show employers your potential, work ethic, and early achievements. Follow these tips to highlight your strengths and make your education section stand out:
- Highlight relevant coursework: Include classes that align with the job, especially if you lack work experience.
- Add academic achievements: List honors like GPA (if it’s higher than 3.5), honor roll, or other awards.
- Include extracurricular activities: Mention clubs, sports, or organizations that demonstrate teamwork, leadership, or other transferable skills.
- Quantify your impact: Add numbers to show results (e.g., “Raised $1,000 for school fundraiser”).
- List relevant projects: Highlight school projects that demonstrate skills related to the job.
About the Author
5
Years of Experience
179
Articles Written
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer dedicated to creating engaging content and providing actionable advice that empowers people in their job searches. An enthusiastic contributor to the Resume Genius team, Lauren has a passion for developing valuable resources for job seekers.
Lauren holds an M.S. in Psychology from University of Derby and currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan. She enjoys learning all she can about the career space, and is committed to helping job seekers of all experience levels navigate the job hunt and advance their careers.
She has been cited in HuffPost, Newsweek, Forbes, and more.
You can reach Lauren at lauren@resumegenius.com.















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