Seal: Overview

An Overview of the Process

The State Seal Biliteracy honors students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language.

Who can apply?

Seniors enrolled in participating public high schools
- To be eligible, seniors must first meet the guidelines set by the California Department of Education.
Can students who attend private school qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy?
- No. Private schools function outside the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education (CDE); therefore, they are not eligible to receive the Seal.
Check the Participating High Schools webpage to see if your high school is registered to participate in the program.

What are the Seal requirements?

The initial list of state requirements can be found here.
The complete list of state and county requirements can be found on the Resources page here.
- Download the Application Checklist from the Links & Resources page here.
- Please contact your high school's administration office for your specific guidelines and deadlines.
- Students must turn in the completed two-page Application & Permission Slip.
Will the entire Seal process happen at the high school?
- No. Students will be prescreened by the high school, then complete the process with the county office.

The Application Process

Read through the complete set of requirements, the process, and deadlines to make sure you are prepared.
Check the Participating High Schools webpage to find out if your high school is registered to participate.
Contact your high school site contact to start the process.
Follow your site contact's instructions to complete the prescreening process for:
- completion of state requirements,
- completion of the Application & Permission Slip, and
- writing proficiency in English and the target language(s) before progressing to the next phase.
Students who have successfully navigated the application process, will be invited to the Student Interview Event tentatively scheduled for March 11, 2023.
- The final interview format will be determined by public health guidance as the date approaches.
- Additional information about the Student Interview Event can be found on the FAQ webpage.

Permission to Participate

Eligible seniors should reach out to the site contact listed on the Participating High Schools webpage for a list of requirements.
The complete and signed two-page Application & Permission Slip must be turned into the participating high school by 10:00 AM on January 25, 2023.

Major Events in the Seal Process

Fall 2022—Students should contact their Participating High Schools at the beginning of the school year to ensure deadlines are not missed.
January 25, 2023—Deadline for students and districts to submit:
- the spreadsheet of prequalified seniors by 3:30 PM,
- the completed and signed student two-page Application & Permission Slip by 10:00 AM, and
- the spreadsheet of assessors for the Student Interview Event by 3:30 PM.
The Student Interview Event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2023.
- The final format will be determined by public health guidance as the date approaches.
- Once your interview date and time are determined, it is critical that you are available. Seal deadlines are no different from those of a college application, thus changes or make up dates and times are not possible. All students must meet the same deadlines.
- Students will be interviewed at least twice; once in English and once in each target language the student has applied for.
- Students can find a copy of the scoring requirements here.
- Interview results will be released as quickly as possible to Participating High Schools first.
- You will receive an email with results once the high school has been notified.
Seal Award Ceremony:
- The possibility of an award night will be determined by public health guidance as the date approaches.
- Framed Seal certificates and diploma seals will be provided by the county.
- Districts are encouraged to recognize students who earn the State Seal within their own districts.