More than 25% of this year’s SAUSD grads will receive the Seal of Biliteracy Award

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer , (714) 558-5555 office, (714) 673-4995 mobile

More than 25% of the students graduating from the Santa Ana Unified School District will receive the Seal of Biliteracy Award

(June 17, 2015) – More than 25% of the students graduating from the Santa Ana Unified School District will receive the Seal of Biliteracy, an award that certifies they have demonstrated fluency in two or more languages. This is particularly valuable in a competitive job market as employers seek applicants who can communicate in more than one language.

“These students are biliterate so not only can they speak two or more world languages, they can also read and write it,” said Nuria Solis, Director of English Language Development.

Each year, the number of students graduating with the Seal increases in the district. This year, 889 students are being recognized for obtaining the Seal, an increase of 307 students from last year.

Spanish led the list of languages students demonstrated fluency in followed by French and Vietnamese.

All Santa Ana Unified School District high school graduations will be held June 17 and 18, 2015 at the Santa Ana Bowl. For more information, please contact Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer at (714) 558-5555.

In addition, click on the following links below to hear the inspirational stories of four exceptional graduating seniors who will be attending Harvard University, Columbia University, West Point U.S. Military Academy, and University of Southern California in the fall.

• Aileen Navarette (Century High School) Harvard University
  https://vimeo.com/130931459
• Cesar Ibarra (Valley High School) Columbia University
  https://vimeo.com/130818652
• Jessica Dominguez (Santa Ana High School) West Point U.S. Military Academy
  https://vimeo.com/130812963
• Yerik Masias (Valley High School) University of Southern California
  https://vimeo.com/130828537

About the Santa Ana Unified School District:

Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) educates approximately 53,000 students at 56 dynamic school sites throughout the Santa Ana community. The K-12 school district is the largest in Orange County and the second largest employer in Santa Ana, with approximately 4,500 educators and staff members. The school district boasts 28 California Distinguished Schools and seven National Blue Ribbon Schools. Contact us at 714-558-5555, or pioinfo@sausd.us. For more information about our schools, visit www.sausd.us.

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