Celebrating Multilingual Excellence: 12 Earn Prestigious Seals of Biliteracy

Twelve graduates from the Class of 2026 and current students have earned Pennsylvania or Global Seal of Biliteracy credentials, which aim to “help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual.” This impressive milestone highlights their advanced language skills and is a proud moment for SCH’s World Languages program, which develops global competency and communicative fluency through immersive, culture-rich language instruction. 

The Global Seal of Biliteracy is an internationally recognized honor, awarded in more than 70 countries, that certifies genuine proficiency in two or more languages. 

“Earning the Seal of Biliteracy shows that our students aren't just taking language classes; they're truly mastering them for real-world use,” says Stephanie Kasten, World Languages Department Chair. “It’s a wonderful validation of our mission to prepare students to be confident, culturally agile global citizens.”

Future recipients will also get added recognition. This academic year, a new state measure will ensure the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy is officially recorded directly on high school transcripts, offering an accolade for college applications and careers.

The Upper School World Language program develops global competency and communicative fluency through immersive, culture-rich language instruction. Students must complete at least three consecutive levels of the same modern or classical language in high school, with offerings including Latin, Spanish, French, and Chinese. Courses range from foundational level-one sequences to rigorous Advanced Placement tracks in Language and Culture. The curriculum emphasizes real-world applications through task-based oral assessments, literature analysis, and deep explorations of cultural traditions and contemporary global issues. Upper-level language students also have opportunities to participate in faculty-led global exchange programs and immersive international travel experiences designed to deepen linguistic confidence.