Mr. Michael Stracco

English
Department Chair

Welcome to the English department at Benet Academy where we boast graduates who include not only authors (one Academy Award winner), but lawyers, judges, English teachers, physicians, policemen, architects, salesmen, and many more occupations which depend upon strong verbal skills in their careers.

I have been the department chair since 2006 and have been teaching at Benet since 1980. Our department prides itself in a strong tradition of focusing on the core skills of the language arts: critical reading, speaking and writing. Our success in preparing students for college is verified in the consistent feedback we have received from our graduates.

In 2008 we surveyed 1,000 of our most recent graduates. We learned that 95% of these alumni believed the English department had prepared them especially well for college. Our department's focus on reading and writing has continued to be our strength. One measure of our students is evidenced in our standardized test scores. Our 2009 ACT average English score was 29.6 and the average reading score was 28.3. Since 2007, of the 327 students who took the English AP tests, 313 scored a 3 or better with an average score of 3.98.

Our department members are all engaging teachers with a diversity of interests and experiences. From Mr. White, who has taught at Benet for over 50 years, to teachers who are in the early years of their careers, all offer a passion for teaching and a passion for English. 

For a complete list of courses, please see the curriculum guide below.

Michael Stracco