A high school resume is a helpful tool for college applications, scholarships, and summer jobs. Even if some applications don’t require one, having a resume can help you organize your experiences and present them clearly. Here’s how to start building your resume the right way.
1. Why a Resume Helps
A resume shows colleges and scholarship committees what you’ve done outside the classroom. It helps you track your activities, leadership, and accomplishments in one easy-to-read document. You’ll use this in your applications and you’ll also provide it to the people you ask to write letters of recommendation. By given them details, they’ll be able to write a recommendation that calls out all of your talents.
2. Start Early!
If you wait until you’re doing your application, you’ll forget key things you did early in high school. Start this in your first year of high school and update it twice a year. This is good advice for your job resume after college, too!
3. Start with the Basics
Your resume should include:
- Name and contact information
- Education (your high school and graduation year)
- Extracurricular activities
- Work experience or internships
- Volunteer work
- Awards, honors, or certifications
What Makes an Extracurricular Activity Stand Out on Applications?
4. Use Clear, Simple Formatting
Keep your resume easy to scan. Use clear section headings, bullet points, and consistent spacing. Avoid fancy fonts or complicated layouts.
5. Show Impact, Not Just Participation
Don’t just list what you did. Describe how you made a difference. Use action words like ‘led,’ ‘organized,’ ‘created,’ or ‘improved’ to highlight your impact.
6. Keep It to One Page
A high school resume should usually fit on one page. Focus on what’s most important and recent. If you’re applying for a specialized program, you might adjust the length based on their requirements.
7. Action Step: Build a Living Document
Start your resume early and keep it updated throughout high school. Save a copy you can revise easily so you’re ready when applications or opportunities come up.
8. Sample High School Resume (Fictional Student)
Here’s an example of a high school resume for an average student. This resume shows a balance of academics, extracurriculars, part-time work, and community service.
Taylor Johnson
Email: taylor.johnson@email.com | Phone: (555) 123-4567 | City, State
Education
Lincoln High School, Anytown, State
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.4 (unweighted)
Extracurricular Activities
Soccer Team, Varsity (Grades 10–12)
• Team Captain (Grade 12)
• Led weekly practices and coordinated team events
• Helped lead the team to a city semifinals appearance (Grade 11)
Drama Club (Grades 9–11)
• Performed as George Gibbs in ‘Our Town’ (Grade 11)
• Performed as Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (Grade 10)
• Built sets for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (Grade 11) and ‘The Crucible’ (Grade 9)
Student Government, Class Representative (Grade 11)
• Helped organize the winter charity dance and the spring carnival fundraiser for local children’s hospitals
Work Experience
Crew Member, Local Pizza Shop (Grades 11–12)
• Worked 10-12 hours per week during the school year
• Developed customer service and teamwork skills
Volunteer Experience
Food Bank Volunteer (Summer 2023)
• Packed and distributed food boxes for local families
• Completed over 30 hours of service
Skills
- Microsoft Word and Google Docs
- Time Management
- Public Speaking
- Customer Service
9. Final Thought
Your resume can be shorter or longer than the example depending on your experiences. Focus on showing commitment, leadership, and growth wherever you can.
Your high school resume is a simple but powerful tool. It helps you stay organized, apply with confidence, and showcase your growth over time. The key is to start now and keep building as you go.