New York State Seal of Biliteracy
Students who continue their study of World Language through senior year will be eligible to apply for the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English, by high school graduation. Students wishing to receive the NYS Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) must complete all requirements for graduating with a NYS Regents diploma and must earn three points in each of the two areas (English and World Language) that are listed in the student application, which is due to the World Language Director by the last week of January.
All seniors enrolled in IB French, Italian, or Spanish are candidates for the NYS Seal of Biliteracy in the respective languages. Our IB courses are designed to prepare students to earn the NYS Seal of Biliteracy at graduation. We also encourage students who are proficient in additional languages to seek the NYS Seal of Biliteracy in those languages. We provide students with various opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency in another language that they speak via approved New York State assessments as well as presenting a culminating project to a committee in order to meet the requirements of the NYS Seal of Biliteracy.
To earn the NYSSB, students must demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in English and the required level of proficiency in one or more world languages set forth by the NYS Learning Standards for World Languages, adopted by the NYS Board of Regents in March 2021. Students can earn points toward the NYSSB from any combination found on the Criteria to Earn the NYSSB document below. Students wishing to receive the NYSSB must complete all requirements for graduating with a NYS Regents diploma.
Criteria to earn the NYSSB
Students who earn the NYSSB will receive a seal affixed to their diploma and a notation on the student’s high school transcript. Additionally, each student will receive a medallion from New York State to wear at graduation.
