2026 Seal of Biliteracy Exam Draws 87 Salem High School Students
The Seal of Biliteracy testing at Salem High School highlights the linguistic talent and cultural diversity of our student body. Each year, students look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate their multilingual proficiency and earn formal recognition for their skills.
This week, 87 students registered for Seal of Biliteracy testing in at least one language, with several choosing to demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages. The range of languages represented is remarkable: Albanian, Filipino, French, Fulani, German, Haitian Creole, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
The Seal of Biliteracy is especially meaningful for speakers of lesser-known languages, offering them a platform to showcase abilities that might otherwise go unrecognized. Interest continues to grow, with students as early as September inquiring about when they will be eligible to sit for the exam.
“The breadth of participation reflects not only strong academic commitment but also the extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity that defines the SHS community,” said Dr. Dori Gilbert, Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator.
André Fonseca, the Director of Multilingual Learner Education at SPS, agreed. “The Seal of Biliteracy is a shining example of the Salem Public Schools’ dedication to multilingualism and diversity,” he said. “It is one of the best ways that we show our students, staff, and community members that we value our students’ cultural and linguistic diversity and provide students with an a opportunity for recognition via these assessments and our awards ceremony in May.”
Last year, a record 64 students earned Seal of Biliteracy awards spanning eight languages.
