This year, Leominster High School saw a record 70 students register for the Seal of Biliteracy test, more than double the participation in previous years.
According to the head of the language department, Lesley Lajoie, “This year, 70 students registered for the Seal of Biliteracy test. Forty were seniors, as the Seal is typically awarded in the graduation year.”
Juniors also made a strong showing, with “a group of 30 juniors seeking early qualification.”
Taking the test early gives underclassmen a strategic advantage, since “taking the Seal as a junior allows students to try a different language or retest in their senior year if they do not meet the benchmark the first time.”
Unlike some programs that focus mainly on Spanish or another common language, Leominster’s Seal of Biliteracy program has a different approach.
“We do not designate a top language for the Seal of Biliteracy. Our goal is to celebrate multilingualism in all its forms. This year, students represented a wide range of languages, including: French, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Twi, Vietnamese, and Wolof.”
Lajoie claims she is “proud that Seal candidates include both World Language students and heritage speakers, reflecting the diversity of our community.”
The program recognizes that many students grow up speaking another language at home, noting that “about 66% of our students are native speakers.”
The seal also honors students who learned a language in class.
“The Seal of Biliteracy promotes the acquisition of world languages and was designed to recognize native speakers and first-time learners, typically completing three to four years of language study in high school. The Seal celebrates both paths to bilingualism.”
Lajoie explained to me the scale on which the test is graded and the data behind it.
“In previous years, about 31 to 32 students have taken the Seal of Biliteracy assessment. Approximately 65 to 70 percent have met the criteria, scoring 6 or higher on a scale of 9 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The Global Seal of Biliteracy, an internationally recognized credential, can be added to a professional’s LinkedIn profile.”
This year’s testing group rose with 70 students testing.
Lajoie also told me how confident she felt about her students.
“I am confident in this year’s results. Students have prepared thoroughly, demonstrated strong skills, and understand expectations. They have received ample support and practice. At a minimum, students will gain a clear understanding of areas for future improvement.”
The Seal of Biliteracy has many benefits that represent determination, cultural intelligence, and hands-on learning.
“It formally recognizes students’ proficiency in two or more languages. It enhances college and career applications by signaling advanced communication skills. It promotes cultural competence and global readiness. It validates heritage language development alongside academic study. It strengthens our district’s commitment to multilingualism and global citizenship.”
