Seal of Biliteracy
Graduating seniors have the opportunity to earn the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy. This honor is awarded to students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. The Seal of Biliteracy includes a certificate prepared by the NJ Department of Education, an notation on the student’s transcript, a graduation chord and identification in the graduation program This seal provides evidence of linguistic skills that are attractive to future employers and college admission offices.
In order for students to be considered for this recognition, they must meet the following criteria:
Students must demonstrate a proficiency level of Intermediate Mid (as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) in a world language.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in English and Math by meeting State high school graduation requirements or its alternative.
English Language Learners (ELLs) may demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving a score of at least 4 on all sections (e.g. listening, speaking, reading, and writing) on Tier B or Tier C of the ACCESS for ELLs assessment during their junior year of high school. ELLs must also demonstrate proficiency in their native language in addition to English.
All students must achieve graduation requirements in all other content areas.
Current Juniors may sign up now to take the test during school on June 15th.
Please complete the form located here and submit a check payable to Ridge High School by May 1st, 2023.
For more information from the Department of Education please click here.
We look forward to celebrating this impressive accomplishment with our students and staff!
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Language Tests and Costs for the Seal of Biliteracy
Students must take the test in the 2nd semester of Junior year or the 1st Semester of Senior year.
Students are allowed 1 attempt to retake the test or sections of the test that did not qualify.
One additional date will be held in early October for seniors.
Languages Cost Test Title __ Testing Time__________
Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, $25 STAMP *Approximately 2 hours
Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese,
Russian, Spanish
Latin $13 ALIRA *Approximately 1 hour
ASL $165 SLPI *Approximately 30 minutes
Chinese, German, Italian, French, Japanese, Latin, $101 AP exam *Approximately 3 hours
Spanish & Spanish Literature
If the language you wish to test in is not listed above, please contact the WL department supervisor.
-ACTFL Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment - An achievement level of I-3 is required on this Interpretive Reading Test
-Advanced Placement - An achievement of a 4 or a 5 on any AP Language Exam administered in the spring of 2022
-Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency - An achievement level of Intermediate Mid is required by earning a score of 5 or higher in all Writing/Speaking and Reading/Listening levels.
NOTE: Students enrolled AP Advanced Placement language and culture exams during their junior year and score a 4 or higher may use this information to earn the seal the following year.