Students earn Seal of Biliteracy distinction 

Congratulations to three students who successfully challenged a language exam that, upon conferment and completion of their Hampton City Schools (HCS) diploma, will receive the Seal of Biliteracy. These students challenged language exams in Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish. Congratulations to Kauanne Shimabukuro Tangoda from Kecoughtan High School (Portuguese), Hector Cabreja Rodriguez from Bethel High School (Spanish), and Bera Koklu from Kecoughtan High School (Turkish).

HCS is proud to offer students an opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy awarded by the Virginia Department of Education. In order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must not only master a language other than English, but also show academic excellence by passing end-of-course reading and writing SOL tests and completing all requirements to earn their HCS diploma. Students may challenge the language exam in their junior or senior year and receive the seal upon successful completion of their HCS diploma requirements and successfully challenging the language exam.

By achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, students receive a certificate of completion signed by the Governor of Virginia, the president of the Board of Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as a Seal of Biliteracy to place on their diploma.