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Seal of Biliteracy

Biliteracy is the ability to speak, read, and write in two languages at a proficient level. The State Seal of Biliteracy is available to high school seniors and promotes multilingualism.

Seal of Biliteracy - IllinoisThe State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition given by the State of Illinois to high school seniors who have studied and can exhibit the ability to communicate in two or more languages (including English) by their senior year of high school. It is highlighted on high school diplomas and serves as a statement of accomplishment for college admission and for future employment.

Recognition is not solely based on students' current language proficiency, but also in the continuing development of that language throughout the course of their elementary and middle school years in preparation for high school. Students who are native English speakers and English Learners (ELs) are eligible for the State Seal of Biliteracy.

Students who come close to meriting the Seal at the high school level will receive the State Commendation Toward Biliteracy, demonstrating progress toward full biliteracy in English and another language. Recipients of the Commendation must still meet English proficiency requirements and adhere to the Illinois State Board of Education World Language requirements.

Studies Toward the State Seal of Biliteracy

Elementary school students should consider enrollment at schools that offer at least 120 minutes of world language instruction on a weekly basis in order to assist in their development of language proficiency, where they can be assessed in fifth and eighth grades and may be eligible for the CPS Seal of Biliteracy.

High school students should focus on strengthening their skills on the world language of their choice and work towards enrollment in an AP or IB program. They should also focus on college prep coursework in preparation for the SAT.

Applying for the Seal

To receive the Seal, graduating seniors must complete an online application and demonstrate proficiency in English and a World Language according to the criteria listed by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Office of Multilingual - Multicultural Education will send eligible students an application for the Seal.

CPS Pathways Towards the Seal of Biliteracy

School Principals of 5th and 8th graders who are enrolled in a language education program at their school, including world language, dual language, and transitional bilingual education, are eligible to complete an application in early fall (application will be shared via the ONS Weekly Memo) to have a district-approved assessment administered to their eligible students.

Questions can be sent to seal@cps.edu.

HIGH SCHOOLS WITH FORMER SSB RECIPIENTS

SY21
SSB Recipients
(83 High Schools)
SY20
SSB Recipients
(78 High Schools)
ACERO - DE LA CRUZ ACERO - DE LA CRUZ
ACERO - GARCIA HS ACERO - GARCIA HS
ACERO - SOTO HS ACERO - SOTO HS
AIR FORCE HS ALCOTT HS
ALCOTT HS AMUNDSEN HS
AMUNDSEN HS ASPIRA - BUSINESS & FINANCE HS
ASPIRA - BUSINESS & FINANCE HS
ASPIRA - EARLY COLLEGE HS
ASPIRA - EARLY COLLEGE HS BACK OF THE YARDS HS
BACK OF THE YARDS HS BROOKS HS
BROOKS HS CARVER MILITARY HS
CARVER MILITARY HS CATALYST - MARIA
CATALYST - MARIA CHIARTS HS
CHIARTS HS CHICAGO ACADEMY HS
CHICAGO ACADEMY HS CHICAGO AGRICULTURAL HS
CHICAGO AGRICULTURAL HS CHICAGO MATH & SCIENCE HS
CHICAGO MATH & SCIENCE HS CHICAGO MILITARY HS
CHICAGO MILITARY HS CICS - NORTHTOWN HS
CICS - NORTHTOWN HS CLEMENTE HS
CLEMENTE HS CURIE HS
CURIE HS DEVRY HS
DEVRY HS DISNEY II HS
DISNEY II HS EPIC HS
EPIC HS FARRAGUT HS
FARRAGUT HS GAGE PARK HS
FOREMAN HS GOODE HS
GAGE PARK HS HANCOCK HS
GOODE HS HORIZON - SOUTHWEST
HANCOCK HS HUBBARD HS
HORIZON - SOUTHWEST INFINITY HS
HUBBARD HS INSTITUTO - HEALTH
INFINITY HS INSTITUTO - LOZANO HS
INSTITUTO - HEALTH INTRINSIC HS
INTRINSIC HS JONES HS
JONES HS JUAREZ HS
JUAREZ HS KELLY HS
KELLY HS KENNEDY HS
KELVYN PARK HS KENWOOD HS
KENNEDY HS KING HS
KENWOOD HS LAKE VIEW HS
LAKE VIEW HS LANE TECH HS
LANE TECH HS LINCOLN PARK HS
LINCOLN PARK HS LINDBLOM HS
LINDBLOM HS MARINE LEADERSHIP AT AMES HS
MARINE LEADERSHIP AT AMES HS
MATHER HS
MATHER HS MULTICULTURAL HS
MULTICULTURAL HS NOBLE - ACADEMY HS
NOBLE - ACADEMY HS NOBLE - BULLS HS
NOBLE - BAKER HS NOBLE - BUTLER HS
NOBLE - BULLS HS NOBLE - GOLDER HS
NOBLE - GOLDER HS NOBLE - MANSUETO HS
NOBLE - ITW SPEER HS NOBLE - MUCHIN HS
NOBLE - JOHNSON HS NOBLE - NOBLE HS
NOBLE - MANSUETO HS NOBLE - PRITZKER HS
NOBLE - MUCHIN HS NOBLE - RAUNER HS
NOBLE - NOBLE HS NOBLE - ROWE CLARK HS
NOBLE - PRITZKER HS NOBLE - UIC HS
NOBLE - RAUNER HS NORTH-GRAND HS
NOBLE - UIC HS NORTHSIDE PREP HS
NORTH-GRAND HS OGDEN HS
NORTHSIDE PREP HS PATHWAYS - ASHBURN HS
OGDEN HS PAYTON HS
PATHWAYS - ASHBURN HS PHOENIX MILITARY HS
PATHWAYS - AVONDALE HS PROSSER HS
PATHWAYS - BRIGHTON PARK HS
RICKOVER MILITARY HS
PATHWAYS - HUMBOLDT PARK HS
ROOSEVELT HS
PAYTON HS SCHURZ HS
PHOENIX MILITARY HS SENN HS
PROSSER HS SOCIAL JUSTICE HS
RICHARDS HS SOLORIO HS
RICKOVER MILITARY HS SPRY HS
ROOSEVELT HS STEINMETZ HS
SCHURZ HS TAFT HS
SENN HS VON STEUBEN HS
SOLORIO HS WASHINGTON HS
SPRY HS WELLS HS
STEINMETZ HS WESTINGHOUSE HS
TAFT HS WORLD LANGUAGE HS
VON STEUBEN HS YOUNG HS
WASHINGTON HS  
WELLS HS  
WESTINGHOUSE HS  
WORLD LANGUAGE HS  
YOUNG HS  

Multilingual - Multicultural Education

773-553-1930

773-553-1931 (Fax)

OMME@cps.edu

42 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60602