What To Say About High School On A Resume

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Crafting a compelling resume is essential for making a strong first impression on potential employers or educational institutions. When it comes to high school experience, many job seekers and recent graduates wonder what details to include and how to present them effectively. Whether you're a recent graduate or someone with more experience, knowing what to say about your high school background can help you stand out. This guide will explore the key elements to include, how to highlight your strengths, and best practices for presenting your high school experience on your resume.

Understanding the Role of High School Experience on a Resume

For recent high school graduates or individuals with limited work experience, the education section often takes center stage. Including relevant information about your high school journey can demonstrate your skills, achievements, and readiness for the next step. Conversely, for more experienced candidates, high school details may be minimal or omitted altogether, focusing instead on post-secondary achievements or work history.

What To Include About High School on a Resume

• High School Name and Location: Clearly state the name of your high school and its city and state.
• Graduation Date: Include the month and year you graduated or expect to graduate.
• GPA (Optional): If your GPA is strong (generally 3.0 or above), consider including it to highlight academic achievement.
• Relevant Courses: List coursework that aligns with the job or field you're targeting, such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes, honors courses, or specialized programs.
• Extracurricular Activities: Showcase involvement in clubs, sports, music, theater, or student government to demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills.
• Achievements and Awards: Mention scholarships, honors, or awards received during high school.
• Volunteering and Community Service: Highlight volunteer work to emphasize your community involvement and responsibility.
• Part-Time Jobs or Internships: Include relevant work experience obtained during high school, especially if it relates to the desired position.

How to Highlight Your Strengths When Writing About High School

When describing your high school experience, focus on qualities and skills that align with the role you're applying for. Use action verbs and quantifiable achievements to make your descriptions impactful. Here are some tips:

• Emphasize Leadership: Mention roles such as class president, club officer, or team captain to showcase leadership abilities.
• Showcase Academic Excellence: Highlight participation in advanced courses or academic competitions.
• Demonstrate Initiative: Include instances where you started or organized projects, events, or clubs.
• Highlight Soft Skills: Skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management can be inferred from your extracurricular involvement.
• Use Action-Oriented Language: Phrases like "organized," "led," "developed," "implemented," or "coordinated" make your contributions stand out.

Sample Entries for the High School Section

Here are some examples of how to effectively present high school information on your resume:

Example 1: Entry for a Recent Graduate

Education

Springfield High School, Springfield, IL

Graduated May 2023

GPA: 3.8/4.0

Relevant Courses: AP Biology, Honors English, Computer Science

Extracurricular Activities: Student Council President, Varsity Basketball Team Captain, Yearbook Club Member

Awards: Honor Roll (all four years), Academic Excellence Scholarship

Volunteer Work: Local Food Bank Volunteer (2 years)

Example 2: Highlighting Leadership and Achievements

Education

Lincoln High School, Lincoln, NE

Expected Graduation: June 2024

GPA: 3.6/4.0

Relevant Courses: AP Calculus, Honors Chemistry, Business Management

Leadership & Activities: President of DECA Club, Captain of Soccer Team, Founder of Community Service Initiative

Awards & Honors: Student of the Year Nominee, Merit Scholarship Recipient

Volunteer Experience: Organized neighborhood clean-up campaigns, Tutored peers in math

Best Practices for Including High School Information

• Keep It Concise: Limit the high school section to 3-7 bullet points or brief paragraphs, especially if you have other relevant experience.
• Tailor Content: Customize your high school details based on the job description or college application requirements.
• Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: Focus on meaningful achievements rather than listing everything.
• Avoid Irrelevant Details: Personal hobbies or unrelated interests should generally be omitted unless they directly support your application.
• Place Education Strategically: For recent graduates, the education section typically appears near the top; for more experienced candidates, it can be moved lower on the resume.

When to Omit High School Details

As you gain more work experience or pursue higher education, your high school information becomes less relevant. Consider removing or minimizing this section if:

• You have several years of professional experience.
• You hold a college degree with relevant coursework or achievements.
• Your high school achievements are no longer pertinent to the position.

In such cases, focus on your post-secondary education, internships, work experience, and skills that align with your career goals.

Additional Tips for Writing About Your High School Experience

• Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Be Honest: Never embellish or falsify information about your high school achievements.
• Proofread Carefully: Ensure the section is free of spelling and grammatical errors.
• Seek Feedback: Have teachers, mentors, or career advisors review your resume for clarity and impact.

Conclusion

Including your high school experience on your resume is an opportunity to showcase your academic achievements, leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. For recent graduates, thoughtfully presenting this information can help you stand out to employers or admissions committees. Remember to tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant aspects of your high school journey, use action-oriented language, and keep the content concise and impactful. As you gain more experience, your focus should shift toward post-secondary education and professional achievements, but the foundational elements of your high school story remain valuable in demonstrating your potential and character.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your high school experience and set yourself on the path to success in your academic or career pursuits.

References

• CareerOneStop. "How to Write a Resume." U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.careeronestop.org/ResumesInterviews/Resumes/writing-resumes.aspx
• Indeed. "How to List Education on a Resume." https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resume-samples/education
• Monster. "High School Resume Example." https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/high-school-resume-example
• Forbes. "Best Practices for Resume Writing." https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/07/01/best-practices-for-resume-writing/

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• The Resume Writing Guide: How to Prepare a Winning Resume
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• High School Student's Guide to College & Career Planning

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