High School Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide
A resume can seem pointless when you’re still in high school. You’re likely imagining a stuffy document with a ton of impressive job titles and bulleted lists of important milestones at those impressive careers as long as your arm: erase that image altogether.
In fact, a high school resume is really just a concise, one-page document that highlights your education, extracurricular activities, skills, and achievements. It’s useful not just for job applications but also for internship applications, scholarships, and college applications where a high school resume for college might be requested.If you’re wondering how to make a high school resume, or whether you should add your high school credentials to your existing resume, you’re in the right place. This article breaks it all down, step-by-step.
Do you put high school on a resume?
This first question sets the stage for the whole conversation, and the short answer is “Yes!” When you’re a teen or young adult, your high school education on your resume is one of the most important sections. You’ll typically put this toward the top, especially if you’re using the resume for college or early career opportunities.
Why a high school resume matters
Your high school student resume is a short summary of who you are, what you’ve done in high school, and what you bring to an opportunity, whether that’s a part-time job, internship, or college application. Even if you’ve never had paid work, including activities like clubs, volunteer work, and awards can make your resume stand out.
According to industry leading job sites like Indeed and ResumeBuilder.com, a well-formatted resume for a high school student helps:
- Colleges and scholarship committees see your accomplishments at a glance.
- Employers quickly understand your background, even with limited work experience.
- You organize your achievements and growth as you finish high school and prepare for the next step.
Even if a college, internship, or job opportunity doesn’t require a resume, having one can make your application feel more complete and professional.
What to include in your high school resume
Let’s take a look at this example high school resume, and we’ll break each section down step by step.
Header: Your Name and Contact
Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location. Keep it simple and professional.
Education (High School)
This is where you put high school on your resume properly:
- School name
- City and state
- Expected graduation date
- GPA (If your GPA is at or above the national average of 3.0+, it’s usually worth including on your resume)
- Academic honors or relevant coursework (AP, Honors, Dual Credit)
Summary or Objective (Optional)
A short statement can help clarify who you are and what you’re aiming for, especially useful when creating a high school resume for college.
Experience
Include jobs, volunteer work, internships, or service roles, even babysitting or lawn care counts if it shows responsibility and skill.
Activities & Leadership
List your clubs, teams, committees, and any leadership roles. Colleges and employers want to know what you’re involved in and how you contribute. In fact, over 90% of colleges consider extracurricular involvement when reviewing applications.
Skills & Awards
Note practical skills (like computer tools or languages), soft skills (communication or leadership), and any awards, honors, or recognitions you’ve earned.
Your resume doesn’t have to include all of these sections, but you want the page to look balanced without too much white space. If you can’t think of any awards or honors, then don’t include that section. If you don’t have any projects that you’re particularly proud of, then we won’t focus on that. It’s all a matter of showing what you have accomplished.
Formatting tips for a high school resume
- Keep it to one page. Most high school resumes are brief and focused.
- Use bullets and succinct language. This keeps the resume easy to skim.
- Start with your strongest content. If your academic info is more impressive than your work experience, list it first; if not, flip the order.
- Proofread carefully for spelling, grammar, and formatting consistency.
Using a simple template from a word processor or online example can make creating a resume easier and ensure your high school education on resume looks polished.
Final tips for high school students
- Update your resume regularly with new accomplishments so you’re always ready when an opportunity comes up.
- Tailor your resume for each use: the emphasis changes for jobs vs. college applications.
- Use professional language and formatting to make a strong impression.
A strong high school resume isn’t just a document; it’s a tool that tells your story. With the right structure and content, it can help you open doors to jobs, scholarships, internships, and the college of your choice.
- A high school resume is a one-page summary of your education, activities, work experience, and achievements.
- Yes, you should put high school on your resume, especially if you’re a current student or recent graduate.
- Your high school education on a resume should appear near the top and include your school name, expected graduation date, and GPA (if strong).
- A resume for a high school student is useful for college applications, scholarships, internships, and jobs, even if it isn’t required.
- Focus on impact and involvement, not just participation.
- Keep formatting simple, professional, and easy to skim.
- Updating your resume regularly makes applying to opportunities much easier later on.
FAQs about high school resumes
Should you put high school on a resume?
Yes. If you’re currently in high school or recently graduated, your high school education on your resume is essential. It often replaces college education until you’ve completed some college coursework.
Do you put high school on a resume for college applications?
Often, yes. While many colleges don’t require a resume, a high school resume for college can strengthen your application by giving admissions officers a clear snapshot of your activities, leadership, and achievements.
How do you put high school on a resume?
List your high school under an Education section with:
- School name and location
- Expected graduation date
- GPA (optional)
- Honors, AP/IB courses, or academic awards
This shows your academic background clearly and professionally.
Should you include your high school diploma on a resume?
If you’ve already graduated, you can list “High School Diploma” under Education. If you’re still enrolled, list your expected graduation date instead.
What should a resume for a high school student include?
A strong high school student resume usually includes:
- Education
- Extracurricular activities
- Work or volunteer experience
- Skills and awards
You don’t need paid work experience—colleges and employers value commitment and growth.
How long should a high school resume be?
One page is ideal. Admissions officers and employers skim quickly, so concise bullet points work best.
What’s the difference between a high school resume and the Common App activities list?
The Common App activities section limits space and formatting. A high school resume lets you expand on leadership roles, responsibilities, and achievements in a more polished format.
Should you include hobbies on a high school resume?
Only if they demonstrate skills, commitment, or leadership (for example, competitive sports, creative projects, or long-term interests with measurable impact).
Can you use the same high school resume for jobs and college?
Yes, but it’s best to tailor your resume. A resume for college emphasizes academics and involvement, while a job resume focuses more on responsibilities and skills.
What should you leave off a high school resume?
Avoid:
- Middle school activities (unless extremely significant)
- Personal details like age or photo
- Unprofessional email addresses
- Exaggerated or misleading claims
