Fayette County announces growth in Seal of Arts Excellence and Biliteracy Seal recipients

Fayette County Public Schools presented its annual update Tuesday on two district seals: the Seal of Arts Excellence and the Kentucky Biliteracy Seal. District staff said both programs have expanded in reach and in the number of students recognized.

Arts Seal: Catherine Lauther, FCPS director of fine arts, said the Seal of Arts Excellence is in its second year at scale and that students log portfolios across grades K-12 toward a senior-year submission. Lauther said 370 students applied this year and 213 students earned the seal, a 92% increase in recipients from the previous year and representing roughly 8% of the district—s seniors. The arts seal program covers multiple disciplines — music, creative writing, technical and performing theater, visual arts and more — with students documenting performance and production work in Google-based portfolios.

Biliteracy Seal: District staff also reported growth in the Kentucky Biliteracy Seal, a state-recognized credential for students proficient in English and an additional language. Staff said 1,391 FCPS graduates have earned the Biliteracy Seal since the district began awarding it in 2017; this year the district reported 275 recipients across 24 languages. Four languages appeared for the first time in the district—s biliteracy roster this year: Akan, Dutch, Vietnamese and American Sign Language. Staff noted that Henry Clay High School, Lafayette High School and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School tied for offering the most different languages this year.

Why it matters: District leaders said the seals not only honor student achievement but also support a broader Portrait of a Graduate goal by encouraging collaboration, technical skills, language proficiency, and civic engagement. Lauther highlighted the technical theater program at Lafayette High School as an example of hands-on career pathways; students demonstrated skills such as scenic design, lighting and stagecraft and described how the program supports college and career readiness.

Next steps: Staff said they are working to integrate the arts seal tracking into the district—s student system (Elevate) and to expand opportunities, including a district-wide summer musical and continued professional learning for arts educators.

Ending note: The district framed the increases as evidence of program growth and community partnerships and thanked staff, teachers and community partners for supporting expanded arts and language programming.