CHCA Upper School Latin Teacher, Brian Compton, has spent time researching and introducing a new opportunity for CHCA students. The Ohio Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one other language. According to Compton, many states are offering a Seal of Biliteracy as part of an effort backed by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL) to encourage students and schools to go beyond the usual two or three years of a world language. The seal demonstrates to colleges and employers that an individual has a proficiency level in both English and a second language that will allow them to use both languages in the workplace.

In order to earn the state seal as well as the Global Seal from the Global Seal Group, high school students are placed into Functional and Working Fluencies – the state seal requirements fall between the break point for each, so students must go above the state seal requirements to earn a Working Fluency Seal. Students may apply starting in their junior year and must meet the following requirements:

*N (Novice), I (Intermediate), and A (Advanced) ratings are based on ACTFL criteria

To date, the following CHCA students have earned the Global and Ohio Seals of Biliteracy:

Ohio Seal of Biliteracy
Mariano Andaluz ’23 (Spanish, English)
Marcus Daley ’22 (Latin)
Ken Fukuda ’23 (Japanese)
Megumi Fukuda ’22 (Japanese)
Andrew Ghastine ’23 (Spanish, French pending AP score)
Zhiyan Huang ’22 (Chinese, English)
Isabella Li ’22 (Chinese, English)
Kaitlyn Lott ’22 (Spanish)
Isaac Mills ’23 (Latin)
Will Rueter ’22 (Latin)
Hayes Santa ’23 (Latin)
Luke Sikkema ’22 (Latin)

Global Seal 1 – Functional Fluency
Mariano Andaluz
Marcus Daley*
Ken Fukuda
Kaitlyn Lott*
Isaac Mills*
Will Rueter*
Hayes Santa*

*May rise to Seal 2 (Working Fluency) pending AP scores

Global Seal 2 – Working Fluency
Megumi Fukuda
Andrew Ghastine
Zhiyan Huang
Isabella Li
Luke Sikkema

This year’s graduates received their Ohio Seals on their diploma or in the mail and will receive their Global Seal certificates in the mail this summer. Rising seniors will receive their seals at commencement in 05/23.

Compton shares of these accomplishments, “Congratulations to the first of what we hope will be many Seal of Biliteracy winners, and to the World Language faculty and parents for their contributions to these students’ language learning.”