What is the State of Biliteracy?
The State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition given to high school seniors who have studied and can exhibit the ability to communicate in two or more languages (including English) by the spring of their senior year of high school. The State Seal of Biliteracy is a statement of accomplishment for college admission and for future employers.

Why implement the State Seal of Biliteracy Initiative?
Though school district participation in this initiative is voluntary, Proviso Township High Schools District 209 considers the State Seal of Biliteracy to be consistent with our district priorities and the alignment with our vision of promoting multilingualism, biliteracy, and inter-cultural awareness as crucial levers in students’ success in college and career.

Who qualifies for the State Seal of Biliteracy?
The State Seal of Biliteracy is intended for all students who have mastered standard academic English and any other language, including American Sign Language. Students who are native English speakers, English Learners (ELs) and/or bilingual speakers will be eligible for the State Seal of Biliteracy.

What is the State Commendation towards Biliteracy?
The State Commendation toward Biliteracy is a recognition given to graduating high school students who have demonstrated significant progress toward achieving a high level of proficiency in English and in reading, writing, listening and speaking in another language.

Who will be awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy or State Commendation for Biliteracy?

Graduating seniors who demonstrated proficiency in English and a World Language according to the testing requirements listed below:

For English Language Proficiency: Beginning in the school year, all applicants who used the SAT to document English proficiency for the State Seal of Biliteracy or the State Commendation toward Biliteracy must achieve a minimum score of 480 on the SAT, except for students who had been designated as English Learners (ELs) at some point during their high school years. Current or former high school ELs could have met the English Language Proficiency requirement by meeting state ACCESS guidelines.

For World Language Proficiency: High school seniors who have already scored a minimum of a 4 on an AP World Language exam administered by The College Board will be considered proficient in that World Language for the State Seal of Biliteracy. A minimum score of a 3 on an AP World Language exam administered by The College Board qualifies for the State Commendation toward Biliteracy. Currently, AP World Language exams are only available in Spanish and French. In addition, students can take the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) Measure in a variety of languages too. A score of I-5 on Form B is the minimum score to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy and an I-1 on Form B is the minimum score to qualify for the State Commendation toward Biliteracy. 
More information: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Illinois-State-Seal-of-Biliteracy.aspx

Want to apply for the State Seal of Biliteracy?
If you would like to be considered for the State Seal of Biliteracy or the Commendation, please contact Mr. Stephen Ngo at sngo@pths209.org or by phone at 708-556-5938.

Proviso Township High Schools partners with Triton College and other colleges to offer Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit courses.

We have a Dual Credit agreement with multiple colleges, including Triton College, where students can earn college and high school credit for specific classes taken at Proviso. These classes are taught by teachers who are qualified to teach both. The Dual Credit program is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or are interested in taking, Advanced Placement courses. Courses with a dual credit option are denoted with “DC” or Dual Credit next to their titles in the Curriculum Handbook. Students should contact their counselor for information regarding eligibility and registration. Dual Credit forms can be found here for Triton College: https://www.triton.edu/academics/dual‐credit/.

Talented Juniors and Seniors may be enrolled in high school and college at the same time, if the District has a formal agreement with the College. Interested students should contact their counselor for information regarding eligibility and registration.  Eligible students may need to:
• Complete the Dual Enrollment Application 
• Take the ACCUPLACER Assessment 
• The assessment may be waived with ACT test scores of 20 in English and Writing and a score of 23 in  Math or SAT test scores of 520 in English and 580 in Math. All students planning to enroll in the Nursing  Assistant Program must earn a score of 80 in the reading portion of the placement test to qualify. 
• Obtain written permission from a high school administrator and a parent or guardian and meet with a College Counselor at Proviso Township High Schools District 209         

CTE is at the forefront of preparing youth to succeed in fast‐growing, high‐paid jobs in high‐growth industries around the country. According to the Bureau of  Labor  Statistics  Occupational  Outlook  Handbook,  many of the fastest-growing jobs through  2024 will be in  CTE  fields like engineering, technology, health care, human development, energy, architecture, IT, business, and marketing.

Our CTE programs strengthen students’ technical skills and articulate transitions to postsecondary programs and employment, assist in meeting the Illinois Learning  Standards, and close achievement gaps.  These programs are instrumental in supporting student success and promoting continuous improvement.  

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 is proud to offer two International Baccalaureate programs of study to our scholars at Proviso East, Proviso West, and PMSA.  All three high schools are authorized for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and International Baccalaureate Certificate Programme.  Proviso West is also authorized for the Career-related Programme (CP).

Students who participate in the IB program at Proviso learn critical thinking skills, giving them a strong educational foundation as they begin their adult lives.  The IB Programme also provides students with opportunities to earn college credit while in high school, similar to Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  The difference is that DP students are eligible to earn an internationally recognized high school diploma that represents a global, rigorous course of study across continents.

Many students coming from the Math and Science Academy program choose the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as a natural progression of their studies.  IB is open to ALL students, however,  Proviso is committed to providing Equity, Excellence, and Relevance for ALL.  The IB program gives our scholars a great opportunity to be Nothing But the Best!

Students must apply for the IB Programme at their school during their sophomore year. Further information will be provided here.

To visit the scholarship resource link, click here!