MEDFIELD — Medfield Public Schools recently received two awards from the state for multilingual learning in the 2024-25 school year — the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Seal of Biliteracy Star Award and Inclusive Access Commendation — after about 23% of the district’s graduating class earned the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy.
According to Medfield Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden, on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez presented the awards during the Multilingual Education Leaders Network Fall Convening. Ellen Toubman, the chair of Medfield Public Schools’ World Languages and Cultures Department, accepted the awards on behalf of the district.
Superintendent Marsden said that to receive the Star Award, a district has to have at least 50 Seal of Biliteracy earners, or 10% of its graduating class. The award also requires the district to meet an equity benchmark. Medfield went well past that mark, with about 23% of its graduating class earning the Seal.
Medfield Public Schools also earned the Inclusive Access Commendation for meeting the state’s benchmark for students with disabilities. To qualify, at least five students with disabilities must graduate with the seal.
“We are immensely grateful to be recognized for our efforts in supporting language learning,” Chair Toubman said. “These awards not only celebrate our students’ achievements in the classroom, but also the multilingual experiences they bring into school from their home lives.”
The Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy goes to students who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages.
“The seal honors the multilingual skills students develop through their home experiences, heritage backgrounds and school programming,” Superintendent Marsden said in a statement. “It recognizes proficiency in several languages, including American Sign Language, through an official endorsement on students’ academic transcripts.”
Students who earn the seal may qualify for college credit at many public colleges in Massachusetts, and their ability to communicate in more than one language may also help them in the workplace.
“These awards are a testament to the district’s commitment to supporting multilingual learning and equitable access to language learning opportunities,” Superintendent Marsden said. “Medfield Public Schools takes great pride in celebrating the languages our students pursue through both their home experiences and school curriculum. We are thrilled to see our students and World Languages and Cultures Department honored at the state level for their dedication to their languages.”
