At a May 24^th graduation ceremony at Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy 60 students received a Bi-Literate seal on their high school diplomas along with a separate certificate indicating they are fluent in two languages.

   Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Multilingual and Multicultural Family Engagement and Student Support Coordinator Senaida C. Perez says the 60 students are the first  CMSD graduates to receive this certification. Graduating students obtained certification of fluency in both English and another language.

   Perez said the languages, in addition to English, that students choose are usually their native language, but some students also chose Latin. Perez says students choosing Latin are usually students with an interest in pursuing medical science where many of the terms are in Latin. The languages graduates achieved fluency in addition to English, include Spanish, Latin, French, Swahili, and Arabic.

   Students at the Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy are a diverse group representing 46 different nationalities and speaking 36 different languages, said Perez

   Perez says the bi-literate certification is part of a national certification program. She says the certification will give students a leg up in getting better positions and jobs. Cleveland graduates are also eligible for Say Yes college or post-secondary school training scholarships. Perez notes that Cleveland State University is among the universities that recognizes the bi-literate certificates and offers students college degree credits for achieving that distinction in high school.