Worcester Public Schools has been honored with the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Platinum Star Award, joining Boston Public Schools as the only two districts to achieve the highest honor this year. The award was announced by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Monday, Nov. 9.
Recognition of Academic Excellence and Equity
Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez presented the award to Jessica Mandes, the district’s director of multilingual education, and Michelle Huaman, the world‑language curriculum specialist. Both accepted the honor on behalf of the district, highlighting the collaborative effort that made the achievement possible.
Superintendent Brian E. Allen praised the district’s commitment, saying, “The Worcester Public Schools remains committed to supporting students with earning the Seal of Biliteracy. Being fluent in more than one language is a true gift that opens the door to a lifetime of additional opportunities, while promoting cultural inclusivity.” He added that the district is grateful for DESE’s recognition of staff and students.
What the Seal of Biliteracy Means
Since 2019, Massachusetts has awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy to high‑school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Recipients receive a notation on their transcript, signaling to colleges and employers that they possess valuable bilingual or multilingual skills. In 2025, a total of 4,793 students statewide earned the seal.
This year, DESE introduced district‑level awards to honor not only the number of graduates earning the seal but also the district’s success in making the seal accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities. The data used for the awards came from the 2024‑25 school year.
Platinum Star Criteria and Worcester’s Performance
To qualify for Platinum Star status, a district must have at least 200 students—or 30% of its graduating class—earn the seal and must meet three equity benchmarks. Those benchmarks track the proportion of seal recipients who are current English learners, recent former English learners, ever English learners, and students with disabilities.
Worcester met and exceeded these benchmarks, earning commendations for seal attainment among current, former, and “ever” English learners. The district also demonstrated strong inclusion of students with disabilities, reflecting its focus on equitable access.
Key Contributors
The district credited several school‑based coordinators for driving the program’s success: Ofelia Maskewich at North High, Jailene Muñoz at South High, Araceli Esqueda at Doherty High, Adriana Perez Sabido at Burncoat High, Monica Echevarria at Claremont Academy, and Yenilda Melendez at Worcester Technical High. Huaman oversees the program districtwide, including alternative schools.
Commissioner Martinez noted, “The recognized districts have made a sustained effort to increase access to the Seal of Biliteracy so that more students have the opportunity to display their skills.”
Impact on Students and the Community
Receiving the Platinum Star award underscores Worcester’s dedication to preparing students for a global economy where multilingual ability is increasingly valuable. Families benefit from the expanded opportunities their children gain, and the broader community enjoys the cultural enrichment that comes from a linguistically diverse population.
As Worcester continues to prioritize language education, the district plans to expand support services, provide additional professional development for teachers, and strengthen partnerships with community organizations to further broaden access to bilingual learning.
Original reporting: This Week in Worcester — read the source article.
