NJ State Seal of Biliteracy

The NJ State Seal of Biliteracy Program provides Highlands 11th and 12th graders with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of both English and another language. In addition to establishing English proficiency through any of the NJDOE English Language Arts graduation requirements, students must demonstrate proficiency in another language through earning a score of advanced intermediate on any of the assessments listed on the NJDOE Biliteracy website. Currently, Highlands offers the Avant STAMP 4S and Avant WS and the ALTA to juniors and seniors each winter as a pathway to earn the seal. In order to qualify, students must earn an advanced intermediate score of 5 on each of the four subsections (writing, listening, reading, speaking). Students who meet the requirements for the seal will have the biliteracy insignia appear on their transcript immediately, though the NJDOE delays certificates until spring of senior year. A growing number of colleges and universities have elected to award college credit for earning the Seal of Biliteracy. The most current list of schools awarding college credit can be found here. For more information about the NJ State Seal of Biliteracy, please see the NJDOE Brochure. 

Northern Highlands student participation in this program has grown exponentially since the program's inaugural year in 2020, when only one senior earned the award. In 2023, 50 seniors earned the prestigious accolade, and three of those students earned the seal in two additional languages. The Class of 2024 already has 55 students who will qualify for the state seal, based on tests they took as juniors. 

Students who are bilingual (or who would like to be) should also consider participating in The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) summer study abroad program offered through the Highlands Career and Academic Pathways Program. This program allows Highlanders to study abroad, earn college credit, receive community service hours, and even earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy. More information about this exciting opportunity can be found here.