Two hundred six Blue Valley students proved they can read, write and speak fluently in two languages this school year, earning a credential that colleges and employers recognize as proof of language proficiency.

The district announced Aug. 17, that those students earned the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy for the 2025-26 school year, representing 15 different languages. The seal appears on graduates' diplomas and transcripts, signaling what the Kansas State Department of Education calls "readiness for postsecondary success."

Kansas adopted the Seal of Biliteracy in 2016 with two award levels, Gold and Silver. To qualify, students must demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language through the AAPPL or another exam aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The district did not specify how many of the 206 recipients earned Gold versus Silver.

Language diversity in Blue Valley

World Language Coordinator Melissa Clark oversees the district's biliteracy program, which starts with Spanish instruction at the elementary level and includes a Chinese Immersion track beginning in kindergarten. By high school, students can pursue AP language courses, dual credit and the Seal of Biliteracy.

Blue Valley's multilingual student body makes the credential especially relevant. Nearly 19 percent of the district's roughly 22,130 students report a home language other than English, according to district demographic data. The top non-English home languages include Spanish, Telugu, Chinese, Urdu and Tamil. Nearly 4,000 students speak a language other than English at home, and more than 1,000 are enrolled in the district's ESOL program.

What families should know

Blue Valley's World Language program page states that seniors and their families receive information about the Seal of Biliteracy process in November from their home high school. The district did not announce a specific application deadline for the 2026-27 cycle.

Families with questions can contact Clark at [email protected] or 913-239-4224. Additional details are available on the district's Canvas page.

Rising seniors interested in the credential should watch for that November communication from their high school counselor.