Earlier this school year, more than 370 Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students have been honored for their world language proficiency by the state of Georgia, more than any other school district in the state. A total of 377 GCPS high school students earned the 2024 Georgia Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy. The honor recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages besides English. To earn the seal, students must have demonstrated bilingualism and biliteracy in both English (by achieving a minimum letter grade “B” average on all English Language Arts courses required for graduation) and high proficiency in an additional world language (measured by success on a state-approved assessment such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate).

     Dr. Virin Veder, GCPS’ Director of World Languages and Dual Language Immersion shares his excitement for the program, “This past school year, we had the largest number of students ever earn the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy. These students are not only mastering a second language, but they are also gaining access to invaluable global opportunities.”

     The Georgia Seal of Biliteracy was established in 2016 to encourage students to study world languages; recognize and promote world language instruction in public schools; certify attainment of biliteracy; provide employers with a method to identify people with language and biliteracy skills, and provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission.

     Gwinnett students earning the Seals of Biliteracy represented the following languages: Chinese, Spanish, French, German, and Latin. They attended the following schools:

Archer HS	McClure Health Science HS
Berkmar HS	Meadowcreek HS
Brookwood HS	Mill Creek HS
Collins Hill HS	Mountain View HS
Dacula HS	Norcross HS
Discovery HS	North Gwinnett HS
Duluth HS	Parkview HS
Grayson HS	Paul Duke STEM HS
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology	Peachtree Ridge HS
Gwinnett Online Campus	Seckinger HS
Lanier HS	South Gwinnett HS