An incredible academic opportunity is available for Albanian-speaking students attending high school in New York: they can earn up to 12 college credits simply for demonstrating proficiency in the Albanian language.

This opportunity comes through the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB), a program that rewards students who are highly skilled in English and at least one additional language — including Albanian.

To qualify, students must visit the foreign language department of their high school and follow the outlined steps. They prepare a written essay in Albanian, save it on a USB drive, and present it using PowerPoint in front of a school panel. After the presentation, they answer questions in English, while a translator assists with their responses in Albanian.

Upon successful completion, students earn up to 12 college credits, saving both time and tuition as they continue into higher education. It’s a powerful incentive for maintaining one’s heritage language while gaining a real academic advantage.

📍 Important:
This program is only available in the state of New York and applies solely to high schools that are officially approved to offer NYSSB.

To reach this level of Albanian proficiency, many students attend weekend Albanian language schools across New York. Some of the most active programs include:

• Alba Life (Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Albany)

• Children of the Eagle Albanian School

• Naim Frashëri School in Staten Island

• Albanian School in Queens

📣 We encourage all Albanian parents in New York to enroll their children in these schools. Learning Albanian is not just a matter of identity — it’s also a direct path to college success!