The State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition given by the State of Illinois to high school seniors who have studied and can exhibit the ability to communicate in two or more languages (including English) by their senior year of high school. It is highlighted on high school diplomas and serves as a statement of accomplishment for college admission and for future employment.
Recognition is not solely based on students' current language proficiency, but also in the continuing development of that language throughout the course of their elementary and middle school years in preparation for high school. Students who are native English speakers and English Learners (ELs) are eligible for the State Seal of Biliteracy.
Students who come close to meriting the Seal at the high school level will receive the State Commendation Toward Biliteracy, demonstrating progress toward full biliteracy in English and another language. Recipients of the Commendation must still meet English proficiency requirements and adhere to the Illinois State Board of Education World Language requirements.
Studies Toward the State Seal of Biliteracy
Elementary school students should consider enrollment at schools that offer at least 120 minutes of world language instruction on a weekly basis in order to assist in their development of language proficiency, where they can be assessed in fifth and eighth grades and may be eligible for the CPS Seal of Biliteracy.
High school students should focus on strengthening their skills on the world language of their choice and work towards enrollment in an AP or IB program. They should also focus on college prep coursework in preparation for the SAT.
Applying for the Seal
To receive the Seal, graduating seniors must complete an online application and demonstrate proficiency in English and a World Language according to the criteria listed by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Office of Language and Cultural Education will send eligible students an application for the Seal.
CPS Pathways Towards the Seal of Biliteracy
School Principals of 5th and 8th graders who are enrolled in a language education program at their school, including world language, dual language, and transitional bilingual education, are eligible to complete an application in early fall (application will be shared via the ONS Weekly Memo) to have a district-approved assessment administered to their eligible students.
Questions can be sent to seal@cps.edu.
HIGH SCHOOLS WITH FORMER SSB RECIPIENTS
| SY21 SSB Recipients (83 High Schools) |
SY20 SSB Recipients (78 High Schools) |
| ACERO - DE LA CRUZ | ACERO - DE LA CRUZ |
| ACERO - GARCIA HS | ACERO - GARCIA HS |
| ACERO - SOTO HS | ACERO - SOTO HS |
| AIR FORCE HS | ALCOTT HS |
| ALCOTT HS | AMUNDSEN HS |
| AMUNDSEN HS | ASPIRA - BUSINESS & FINANCE HS |
|
ASPIRA - BUSINESS & FINANCE HS
|
ASPIRA - EARLY COLLEGE HS |
| ASPIRA - EARLY COLLEGE HS | BACK OF THE YARDS HS |
| BACK OF THE YARDS HS | BROOKS HS |
| BROOKS HS | CARVER MILITARY HS |
| CARVER MILITARY HS | CATALYST - MARIA |
| CATALYST - MARIA | CHIARTS HS |
| CHIARTS HS | CHICAGO ACADEMY HS |
| CHICAGO ACADEMY HS | CHICAGO AGRICULTURE HS |
| CHICAGO AGRICULTURE HS | CHICAGO MATH & SCIENCE HS |
| CHICAGO MATH & SCIENCE HS | CHICAGO MILITARY HS |
| CHICAGO MILITARY HS | CICS - NORTHTOWN HS |
| CICS - NORTHTOWN HS | CLEMENTE HS |
| CLEMENTE HS | CURIE HS |
| CURIE HS | DEVRY HS |
| DEVRY HS | DISNEY II HS |
| DISNEY II HS | EPIC HS |
| EPIC HS | FARRAGUT HS |
| FARRAGUT HS | GAGE PARK HS |
| FOREMAN HS | GOODE HS |
| GAGE PARK HS | HANCOCK HS |
| GOODE HS | HORIZON - SOUTHWEST |
| HANCOCK HS | HUBBARD HS |
| HORIZON - SOUTHWEST | INFINITY HS |
| HUBBARD HS | INSTITUTO - HEALTH |
| INFINITY HS | INSTITUTO - LOZANO HS |
| INSTITUTO - HEALTH | INTRINSIC HS |
| INTRINSIC HS | JONES HS |
| JONES HS | JUAREZ HS |
| JUAREZ HS | KELLY HS |
| KELLY HS | KENNEDY HS |
| KELVYN PARK HS | KENWOOD HS |
| KENNEDY HS | KING HS |
| KENWOOD HS | LAKE VIEW HS |
| LAKE VIEW HS | LANE TECH HS |
| LANE TECH HS | LINCOLN PARK HS |
| LINCOLN PARK HS | LINDBLOM HS |
| LINDBLOM HS | MARINE LEADERSHIP AT AMES HS |
|
MARINE LEADERSHIP AT AMES HS
|
MATHER HS |
| MATHER HS | MULTICULTURAL HS |
| MULTICULTURAL HS | NOBLE - ACADEMY HS |
| NOBLE - ACADEMY HS | NOBLE - BULLS HS |
| NOBLE - BAKER HS | NOBLE - BUTLER HS |
| NOBLE - BULLS HS | NOBLE - GOLDER HS |
| NOBLE - GOLDER HS | NOBLE - MANSUETO HS |
| NOBLE - ITW SPEER HS | NOBLE - MUCHIN HS |
| NOBLE - JOHNSON HS | NOBLE - NOBLE HS |
| NOBLE - MANSUETO HS | NOBLE - PRITZKER HS |
| NOBLE - MUCHIN HS | NOBLE - RAUNER HS |
| NOBLE - NOBLE HS | NOBLE - ROWE CLARK HS |
| NOBLE - PRITZKER HS | NOBLE - UIC HS |
| NOBLE - RAUNER HS | NORTH-GRAND HS |
| NOBLE - UIC HS | NORTHSIDE PREP HS |
| NORTH-GRAND HS | OGDEN HS |
| NORTHSIDE PREP HS | PATHWAYS - ASHBURN HS |
| OGDEN HS | PAYTON HS |
| PATHWAYS - ASHBURN HS | PHOENIX MILITARY HS |
| PATHWAYS - AVONDALE HS | PROSSER HS |
|
PATHWAYS - BRIGHTON PARK HS
|
RICKOVER MILITARY HS |
|
PATHWAYS - HUMBOLDT PARK HS
|
ROOSEVELT HS |
| PAYTON HS | SCHURZ HS |
| PHOENIX MILITARY HS | SENN HS |
| PROSSER HS | SOCIAL JUSTICE HS |
| RICHARDS HS | SOLORIO HS |
| RICKOVER MILITARY HS | SPRY HS |
| ROOSEVELT HS | STEINMETZ HS |
| SCHURZ HS | TAFT HS |
| SENN HS | VON STEUBEN HS |
| SOLORIO HS | WASHINGTON HS |
| SPRY HS | WELLS HS |
| STEINMETZ HS | WESTINGHOUSE HS |
| TAFT HS | WORLD LANGUAGE HS |
| VON STEUBEN HS | YOUNG HS |
| WASHINGTON HS | |
| WELLS HS | |
| WESTINGHOUSE HS | |
| WORLD LANGUAGE HS | |
| YOUNG HS |