531 high school seniors who just graduated from Newark Public Schools demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English, which marks a three-year trend of growth
NEWARK, N.J. – A record 531 Newark Public Schools students earned the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy in the 2025-2026 school year, continuing a remarkable rise in multilingual achievement across the district. The students were honored at a special celebration hosted by the district’s Office of Bilingual, English as a Second Language and World Languages at East Side High School.
The students earned the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy, an achievement that requires demonstrating the ability to read, write, speak, and understand a language other than English. This year’s total marks a 20% increase over last year’s 448 recipients and a huge increase over the 122 students who earned the seal three years ago. Eighteen of the students who earned the seal showed they had proficiency in two languages other than English. They were:
“The Seal of Biliteracy is a reflection of our students’ determination, intellectual growth, and cultural pride,” said Superintendent León. “To earn this distinction, students must demonstrate advanced proficiency in English while mastering another language, a remarkable achievement that opens doors to higher education, career opportunities, and global citizenship. I congratulate each of these students and thank our administrators, teachers and families for helping them reach this milestone. The continued growth in the number of recipients demonstrates the strength of our district’s commitment to multilingual excellence.”
“Newark is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, and our students’ ability to thrive in multiple languages is one of our greatest strengths,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “The record number of Seal of Biliteracy recipients reflects the talent that exists throughout our schools and the value we place on cultural and linguistic diversity. On behalf of the Newark Board of Education, I congratulate these students for achieving a distinction that will serve them well throughout their lives and careers.”
“Each Seal of Biliteracy recipient has demonstrated perseverance, academic excellence, and a commitment to maintaining and strengthening their linguistic skills,” Marisol Diaz, Director, Office of Bilingual Education. “This is a credential that students carry with them into college, careers, and civic life. Seeing the number of recipients continue to grow year after year is a testament to the dedication of our students, families, teachers, and staff who believe that bilingualism is a powerful asset and an important pathway to future success.”
The state Seal of Biliteracy is a credential that appears on students’ diplomas and transcripts, signaling their language proficiency to colleges and employers. The distinction can strengthen college applications, support advanced language placement and college credit opportunities, and enhance career prospects in an increasingly global workforce.
To qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy, students must first meet New Jersey’s high school graduation requirements in English. They must also demonstrate proficiency in another language by passing a nationally recognized assessment, confirming their skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Recipients receive a certificate from the New Jersey Department of Education and a notation on their official transcript indicating the language in which they demonstrated proficiency. Newark’s Bilingual Department will also award each student a medal to be presented at their graduation ceremony.