OVERVIEW
The St. Vrain Valley School District recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency or higher in English and at least one other language with the SVVSD Seal of Biliteracy. This award, given at graduation, provides students with a competitive advantage in the employment market as well as increased opportunities for higher education.
Requirements
Demonstrate proficiency or higher in English by completing all of the English Language Arts coursework required for graduation with an overall GPA of least 3.0 or higher AND one of the requirements listed below:
- 470 or higher on SAT EBRW
- 3 or higher on AP English Language Exam
- 3 or higher on AP English Literature Exam
- 4 or higher on IB English Exam
- 100 level or higher on Accuplacer Basic Skills Assessment
Demonstrate proficiency or higher in a language other than English by achieving one of the following:
- 3 or higher on World Language AP Exam (Spanish, French, Mandarin)
- 4 or higher on World Language IB Exam (Niwot High School)
- Intermediate Mid (I-3 or higher) on AAPPL (Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Thai)
- Intermediate Mid (I-3 or higher) on ACTFL OPI & WPT for the Seal of Biliteracy (Albanian, Amharic, Bangla, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Malayalam, Pashto, Polish, Russian, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba)
- If identified language exam is not available, student can submit a language portfolio that includes body of evidence demonstrating proficiency in each mode of communication for the target language
- Successful completion of a fourth level high school course of study in the world language and attaining an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 or higher
The Seal of Biliteracy provides students with a competitive advantage in the employment market as well as increased opportunities for higher education by:
- Providing evidence of increased readiness for college and careers
- Improving opportunities for college admissions and scholarship
- Increased job opportunities
- Boosting salary potential – Knowing a second language can increase one’s pay by 10-15 percent
- Enhancing connections with your language and culture as well as building knowledge and understanding across cultures
Application Process
- Students in grades K-8 are encouraged to access world language experience in and out of school and maintain proficiency in native languages
- 8th grade students should consider enrolling in World Language courses as they transition into high school
- 9th and 10th grade students encouraged to participate in world language courses and maintain high GPA in both WL and ELA classes
- 11th grade students on track identified by high school counselors and encouraged to apply as senior – Plan to take the SAT and score 470 or higher on the EBRW portion
- 12th grade students submit request to earn Seal of Biliteracy diploma and District Committee reviews qualifiers
- 12th grade students who qualify receive additional Seal of Biliteracy diploma and cords at graduation ceremony
Seal of Biliteracy – Application