New Paltz High School

196 Main Street, New Paltz, New York 12566• Tel. (845)256-4020 •Fax (845)256-4025

New Paltz High School Seal of Biliteracy Information 

What is the New York State Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal of Biliteracy is a formal recognition of students who have studied and attained a high proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. It is a seal that will be placed on the diploma.

What is the goal of the Seal of Biliteracy?

• highlight the achievement of multilingual students
• prepare students with twenty-first century skills
• recognize the value of world and home language instruction in our schools
• identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers or universities

Who can participate?

The program will be available to New Paltz High School seniors only. The NYSSB is intended for all students who demonstrate a high intermediate proficiency in English and any other language, including American Sign Language. A language does not have to be part of the New Paltz High School World Language program to be eligible. For example, students from our school have received the NYS Seal of Biliteracy in Japanese, Swedish, and Russian.

How does an interested student earn the seal?

1. Submit an application to Student Support. Forms can be found on the New Paltz High School website by going to the For Students drop down and clicking on the Seal of Biliteracy Application.
2. Students will then be placed with an advisor to review the criteria and set up a pathway to achieving the seal.

What are the pathways to achieving the seal?

There are different ways a student can attain the seal. New York State determines the outlines of the pathways. The New Paltz High School Seal of Biliteracy Committee (SBC) has the task of implementing and approving a student’s achievement of the seal of biliteracy. See website for New Paltz High School Seal of Biliteracy Checklist.

Who decides if a student earns the Seal of Biliteracy?

The New Paltz High School Seal of Biliteracy Committee (SBC) is made up of World Language teachers, English Language Arts teachers, English as a New Language teachers, guidance counselors and administrators. After a student has completed the requirements, a minimum of two committee members will evaluate their work, following the criteria set by NYSED. If a student has chosen to do a portfolio as part of their pathway, the student will be interviewed in the chosen language by a panel of judges selected by the SBC to measure interpersonal and presentation skills.