The Seal of Biliteracy, an award given to high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in both English and another world language, is now being offered to MHS students.

The Seal’s goal is to encourage the study of a second language, which the new Superintendent Charles Sampson and the new Superintendent of Curriculum Jeffrey Moore have deemed a priority in their administration.

This new opportunity at MHS is open to the vast majority of students, including those in a level four or higher world language class, students in ESL classes, and students who speak a language fluently at home that is not offered in school. Students will receive the award at graduation, but the process of earning the Seal can begin as a junior.

To earn the seal, students need to accumulate three points each in both English and a world language.

For English proficiency, students can earn their points in several ways: by scoring 80 or higher on the NYS Regents ELA exam (or 75 for non-native speakers), scoring 290 or higher on the NYSESLAT, maintaining an 85 average in 11th and 12th grade ELA courses, or presenting a culminating project to a panel.

For world language proficiency, students can earn points by completing a World Language level four course or higher at MHS with an average above 85, submitting an international transcript showing three years of language study from 8th grade onward, scoring a four or higher on an AP language exam, taking the STAMP Language Proficiency Assessment, or presenting a culminating project.

In total, students need to earn three points in each subject area to meet the requirements for the Seal. It is important to note that due to different pathways in earning the seal, not every task may be applicable to every student. 

Judy Diaz, MHS’s Director of Multilingual Programs and World Languages, has been working tirelessly to make this opportunity a reality for MHS students. She explains that “last school year, a Seal of Biliteracy Committee was established to explore the possibility of introducing the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) to Mamaroneck.” This exploration has continued into this school year with the committee moving into the initial planning phase. Recently, the committee adopted the state’s eligibility criteria and identified an initial list of eligible students while ensuring that all necessary support systems are in place.

“We officially submitted an intent to establish an application for the NYSSB program to the New York State Education Department, which was approved just last month,” says Diaz. Spanish 3H and 4 teacher Andrew Chabot feels that the Seal will benefit the MHS community because it “recognizes students’ achievements in being multilingual” and will encourage students to “take pride in the world language they have spent all of high school learning.”