November 9, 2026 |City of Lynn, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Education, Lynn Public Schools, News, State of MA

Healey-Driscoll Administration Recognizes 55 Districts for Excellence in Biliteracy

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First-ever district awards celebrate student achievement in multiple languages and efforts to expand access to the State Seal of Biliteracy

From the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has recognized 55 school districts for helping students develop proficiency in multiple languages and expanding access to the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy.

Established in 2019, the State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language. The Seal celebrates students’ language skills and highlights how knowing multiple languages can open doors to future education, careers and other opportunities.

This year marks the first time DESE has recognized districts for both the number of students earning the Seal and their efforts to make it accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities.

“Knowing more than one language is an incredible skill that opens doors for students in the classroom, in their careers and throughout their lives,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We want every student in Massachusetts to have the opportunity to develop these skills and be recognized for their hard work. Congratulations to all 55 districts and the students and educators who made this achievement possible.”

“Massachusetts students come from so many different backgrounds, and the languages they speak are an important part of what makes our schools and communities special,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These awards celebrate districts that are helping students build on those strengths and giving more young people the opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!”

“The Seal of Biliteracy is an important way for students to demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages, and as we implement our statewide graduation requirements, we’re using it as a model for other seals of distinction,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These districts are proving that students are ready to demonstrate mastery if given the opportunity.” 

“As we prepare students for graduation and to enter our state’s workforce, we recognize the enormous asset that bilingualism is,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “The recognized districts have made a sustained effort to increase access to the Seal of Biliteracy so that more students have the opportunity to display their skills.”

This year’s district awards are based on districts’ reported Seal of Biliteracy outcomes for the 2024-25 school year. Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez delivered remarks about the importance of the Seal and the student achievement it represents before presenting the awards to district representatives.

The district awards included Platinum Star, Gold Star and Star awards for meeting certain Seal attainment levels and equity benchmarks. Equity benchmarks measure Seal attainment among English learners, students who recently moved out of English learner status, students who were ever an English learner, and students with disabilities. DESE also awarded commendations to districts where notable numbers of college, career, and technical education (CCTE) students, multilingual students and students with disabilities earned the Seal.  

The following districts received Platinum Star Awards for having at least 200 students or 30 percent of the graduating class earn the Seal and meeting three equity benchmarks:

• Boston Public Schools
• Worcester Public Schools

The following districts received Gold Star Awards for having at least 100 students or 15 percent of graduates earn the Seal and meeting two equity benchmarks:

• Excel Academy Charter School
• Hudson Public Schools
• KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School
• Lawrence Public Schools
• Lynn Public Schools
• Martha’s Vineyard Regional Schools
• Marlborough Public Schools
• Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School District
• Sturgis Charter Public School
• Waltham Public Schools
• Wellesley Public Schools
• Woburn Public Schools
• Shrewsbury Public Schools

The following districts received Star Awards, for having at least 50 students or at least 10 percent of graduates earn the Seal and meeting one equity benchmark:

• Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School
• Andover Public Schools
• Ashland Public Schools
• Barnstable Public Schools
• Bedford Public Schools
• Belchertown Public Schools
• Berkshire Hills Regional School District
• Brooke Charter School
• Cambridge Public Schools
• Canton Public Schools
• Clinton Public Schools
• Collegiate Charter School of Lowell
• Dedham Public Schools
• Everett Public Schools
• Falmouth Public Schools
• Foxborough Public Schools
• Lowell Public Schools
• Masconomet Regional Schools
• Match Charter Public School
• Medfield Public Schools
• Melrose Public Schools
• Millbury Public Schools
• Needham Public Schools
• Newburyport Public Schools
• North Brookfield Public Schools
• Quincy Public Schools
• Revere Public Schools
• Salem Academy Charter School
• Sharon Public Schools
• Springfield Public Schools
• Stoughton Public Schools
• Tewksbury Public Schools
• Watertown Public Schools
• Westborough Public Schools
• Westford Public Schools
• Weston Public Schools

The following schools and districts received the College, Career, and Technical Education (CCTE) Access Commendation for increasing access to the Seal for CCTE graduates:

• Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School
• Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School District
• Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School District
• Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School District

The following districts received the Multilingual Learner Equity Commendation for increasing access to the Seal for graduates who are or were classified as English Learners:

• Ashland Public Schools
• Boston Public Schools
• Lawrence Public Schools
• Lynn Public Schools
• Shrewsbury Public Schools
• Worcester Public Schools

The following districts received the Inclusive Access Commendation for increasing access to the Seal for graduates with disabilities:

• Boston Public Schools
• Hudson Public Schools
• KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School
• Martha’s Vineyard Regional Schools
• Medfield Public Schools
• Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School District
• Springfield Public Schools
• Wayland Public Schools

Photos are available upon request.