Dear Oyster River High School Seniors and Families,
The Oyster River Cooperative School District is proud to celebrate the importance of bilingualism and multilingualism in today’s global society by offering a new district-level Seal of Biliteracy award.
This award was originally adopted by the State of New Hampshire in 2020 to acknowledge students who have studied and developed proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation and is part of a national program adopted by all 50 states.
Students who earn this distinction will receive a state seal on their high school diploma and an honors cord to wear at graduation. In addition, documentation of this accomplishment will be included on final transcripts, a distinction that colleges, universities, and prospective employers value.
Many institutions of higher education throughout the country recognize the Seal of Biliteracy. Some even offer world language credits to students who earn this distinction. For these reasons, we encourage our students to check with prospective colleges and universities during the enrollment process to see if the institutions acknowledge the award.
The Seal of Biliteracy also provides students with a competitive edge in the workplace as many employers recognize this distinction. Globally, bilingualism equates to a higher pay rate and more career opportunities in the US and abroad.
To receive the NH Seal of Biliteracy award, students must:
- Meet the graduation requirements set by their local high school.
- Demonstrate proficiency in English by earning a 450 or above on the ELA SAT or Composite Score of 4.5 or higher on WIDA ACCSS for Els.
- Demonstrate proficiency in one (or more) additional world languages.
Additional information about the indicators of proficiency can be found in the Student Request to Test document and Seal of Biliteracy Eligibility Information documents. The AAPPL test will be administered at ORHS at no cost for students who meet eligibility requirements and complete the request to test.
It is highly encouraged that students speak with Oyster River’s Seal of Biliteracy coordinators, ORHS Assistant Principal Mike McCann or Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Filippone, before submitting their paperwork.
Additional information is also available on the New Hampshire Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy webpage.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Filippone
Assistant Superintendent