2024-25 Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given upon high school graduation to students who show proficiency in English and an eligible language other than English. Currently, eligible languages include: Amharic, American Sign Language, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Dakota/Lakota, Dari, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Latin, Ojibwe, Oromo, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. English proficiency is demonstrated through four years of successful completion of English Language Arts.

Benefits of the Seal of Biliteracy

• Recognition of students’ bilingual/bicultural or multilingual/multicultural identity
• Earned college credits at Minnesota State College and Universities (MnSCU). MnSCU does not include the University of Minnesota.
• Credential for job and internship opportunities
• Recognition on college entrance applications   

SoWashCo provides testing for most languages. Students in grades 11 and 12 are eligible to register and test for the Seal of Biliteracy. Eligible students and their parents/guardians will receive an email with information when registration opens on January 6, 2025. For more information, please check out the Assessment and Grading website or contact Mark Mcilmoyle, Director of Teaching and Learning - Secondary, at mmcilmoy@sowashco.org or 651-425-6207.