80+ MMSD Students Earn Seal of Biliteracy for Dedication to Language, Culture

More than 80 students from across the district earned the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy. This recognition is more than academic; it celebrates their diverse stories, rich cultures and the voices they've built in multiple languages. 

Earning the Seal of Biliteracy shows fluency and celebrates students’ diverse backgrounds and the connections they've made across cultures. For most, this achievement followed months or even years of balancing school, home life and other activities.

La Follette High School celebrated a milestone this year, awarding the seal to 32 seniors—the largest group in the school’s history. Many of these students began their U.S. education in 2018, developing strong bilingual skills in English and Spanish, successfully transitioning out of ESL services and excelling in advanced English courses. 

West High School recognized 36 students, including 31 seniors and 22 juniors who will be honored next year. These students demonstrated proficiency in a variety of languages, such as Spanish, French, German, Korean, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. Some earned recognition for fluency in languages not formally taught within MMSD, and others showcased abilities in multiple languages. 

Memorial High School celebrated 13 recipients, while East High School honored 4 students with this achievement.

“It feels amazing because I can blend both my cultures of being Hispanic and American and bring that into the whole world,” La Follette senior Mia Espinal said.

This year’s recipients leave behind a legacy of curiosity, courage and connection. They remind us that the ability to understand and be understood—especially across languages—is something truly worth celebrating.

To qualify for the seal, students must meet graduation requirements, show English proficiency through assessments like the ACT or AP exams, demonstrate an Intermediate High level of fluency in another language, and reflect on their cultural experiences in writing.