Thank you for your interest in applying for the Seal of Biliteracy. You must be enrolled in 11th or 12th grade to apply for the 2026-2027 Merced County Seal of Biliteracy.
*12th Grade Students who have completed and passed a portion of the process in 2025-2026 do not need to complete an application in 2026-2027 and will only need to complete a Parent Authorization/release form if there isn't one on file. Please confirm with the seal lead from your site/district that you are on the current list and what your status is for application and parent authorization.
Step 1: This Virtual Seal Application: Due by 4:00 pm, September 4, 2026
Step 2: School Verification (completed online by high school administrator or Seal designee): Due by 3:30 pm, September 18, 2026 (link will become view only at this time)
Step 3:
Signed Parent Authorization: Due to MCOE by 4:00 pm, September 18, 2026
Step 4: Students who are verified by school will participate in assessments as needed based on GPA. Assessments will take place online in most cases from 10/12-10/23. Schools will choose dates and times based on their schedule. If your language does not have an online test available, we will work with your school and others to try to test you in another format.
DO NOT complete this form in all caps and be sure to spell your name as you wish to see it on your certificate. PLEASE ALSO CHECK YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. Incorrect addresses will mean that you will not receive proper communication. Target World Languages are any language other than English. DO NOT put English as your target language.
Only submit your Seal of Biliteracy Application once. All correspondence between the county seal contact and students will be made via email, please ensure you have entered the correct student email address. Please contact Stacie Arancibia at
sarancibia@mcoe.org or 209-381-5910 with any questions.
All dates, events, and eligibility subject to change. We will notify site and district leaders of any changes to the program as they happen. They are the main point of contact and will relay information to students.
Thank you!
