Nearly 400 San Juan Unified seniors will graduate this spring with special honors reflecting their dedication to linguistic excellence.

In a recent countywide ceremony, 397 San Juan Unified students earned the State Seal of Biliteracy Award for their fluency in 10 languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic and Mandarin. Of those students, 82 are former English learners who have shown proficiency in English and their native language. Honorees receive a medal to be worn during graduation, a certificate, a seal for their diploma and a special notation on their transcript.

Students earned the award by achieving a high level of speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. This year, over 1,400 students from 12 districts in Sacramento County received the seal, with the greatest number of honorees hailing from San Juan Unified.

To earn the seal, established by California Assembly Bill 815 in 2012, students must receive good grades in all English classes required for graduation and proficiently score on the California Standards Test in English Language Arts. Additionally, students must show proficiency in one or more languages by passing a test — such as an Advanced Placement test — or by completing four years of a foreign language with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

“Having achieved this level of proficiency, these students are well-poised to continue in their language studies to attain even higher levels of proficiency, eventually including language unique to their lines of work or areas of expertise,” said Nicole Naditz, who teaches Advanced Placement French at Bella Vista High School.

The seal is a statement of linguistic and academic accomplishment that offers a variety of benefits after high school, including giving students a competitive edge in applying for jobs. Heather Berkness, a special programs counselor with the English Language and Multicultural Education Department, said the seal also adds value to college applications and allows students to connect with a worldwide community.