Metuchen Board recognizes 34 State Seal of Biliteracy recipients and school athletic champions

The Metuchen Board of Education on June 10 honored 34 Metuchen High School students who earned the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy and recognized a string of athletic championships and individual accomplishments from the 2024–25 school year.

Ashley Jay, supervisor of world languages for the Metuchen Public School District, told the board the state award recognizes graduates who have “attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in 1 or more world languages, in addition to English.” Jay said the district’s 34 seal recipients demonstrated proficiency across languages including Chinese, French, German, Marathi, Korean, Polish, Russian, Telugu, Hindi and Spanish; some students also earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy.

Jay outlined the district’s process for students who want to pursue the seal: an interest meeting in November or December, registration via a Google form, distribution of study materials, a two‑week testing window after winter break with after‑school sessions typically from 3 to 6 p.m., and additional make‑up time as needed. Jay said the district uses multiple state‑approved tests to accommodate the range of languages and that the state must receive results by Feb. 1. She also noted students do not have to be enrolled in a world language course to take the assessment.

“Students noted with an asterisk also earned their global seal of biliteracy,” Jay told the board as she invited students present at the meeting to receive certificates.

The meeting also featured recognition of Metuchen High School’s spring athletic accomplishments. Coaches and administrators highlighted the baseball team’s division championship — the program’s first division title in 55 years — an 11‑3 division record and three players named to the all‑division team. Coach remarks singled out players selected for regional all‑star games and underclassmen showcases.

School athletic leadership provided season summaries across sports: the district reported 21 varsity teams, 54 all‑division athletes, 28 all‑GMC athletes, nine division championships, seven state titles, seven coaches of the year and four GMC coaches of the year, along with one district champion in girls wrestling. The board and coaches also recognized individual track athletes who won sectional and group championships and relay teams headed to postseason competition.

Superintendent remarks noted the awards and recognitions came at the last regular meeting before summer break and thanked staff, coaches and volunteers for support during the year. Board members and administrators congratulated students and coaches and wished spring athletes competing in postseason meets luck.

The district said certificates will be distributed to all students who earned the seals and medals at graduation ceremonies.

Metuchen High School graduation was scheduled for the following weekend, and several athletes were preparing to compete in regional meets within days of the board meeting.