Westford Academy has participated in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program since 2020 and to date, students have received the Seal in languages such as Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, and Urdu. Several students have earned the Seal in two languages, both a language studied at WA and a heritage language that they have learned from their family. Over 60 members of the class of 2025 were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy at graduation in June.
WHAT: The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to seniors who demonstrate literacy in two or more languages, a partner language as well as English. It encourages students to develop their language skills and expand their cultural understandings to be better prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to a global society.
WHO: Seniors who meet the criteria will receive the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction upon graduation. In addition to having the Seal affixed to your diploma and recorded on your official transcript, students will be recognized at the Senior Awards Ceremony, have the distinction noted in the graduation program, and wear an honor chord at graduation
HOW: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlined the criteria students must meet to earn this accolade. To measure proficiency in English, students must earn a qualifying score of at least 472 on the 10th grade ELA MCAS or the ACCESS test (English Language Learners only). As of 2025/2026, the competency determination (passing MCAS) for graduation is being phased out. However, the specific requirements to earn the Seal of Biliteracy (distinct from the diploma) still currently rely on specific ELA MCAS scores or approved proficiency tests. To measure proficiency in the partner language, students must earn a qualifying score of Intermediate high on a state-approved assessment (STAMP or AAPPL) or district-approved portfolio (for languages for which there is not yet a state-approved assessment).
WHEN: Students should pay attention to deadlines and testing windows.
- By Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Submit the completed Google Form Application which will be live after December 4. If you are uncertain if you are sufficiently proficient in the different modes of communication in the language you plan to test, please see sample exams at the STAMP website (Take the STAMP 4S exam) or talk with a language teacher.
- By Tuesday, December 12, 2025: Submit payment for the exam. Checks should be made out to Westford Academy with "SofB Test" written in the subject line. The cost will depend on the language being tested but will be approximately $40. Students who fill out the Google Form will be contacted with this information. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch are not required to pay.
- Students who are in a level 5/AP course do not need to fill out the registration form or submit payment. The exam will be administered in your class as part of the course curriculum and midterm exam.
- January, 2026: Exams will be administered to seniors during an in-school field trip.
WHERE: All testing will take place in the WA Language Lab (room 120) and other language rooms. Assessments are computer-based.
WHY: To recognize years of effort and perseverance, certify your attainment of biliteracy skills, provide employers and universities with evidence of your language skills, and honor the multiple languages and cultures in our community.
Please contact the World Language Curriculum Coordinator at sdevlin@westfordk12.us or in room 105A with questions.
