VCHS Admissions Viewbook 2022

The mission of Vandebilt Catholic High School is to provide students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to academic excellence.

Houma Central Catholic High School Vandebilt Catholic High School

St. Francis de Sales Girls’ School

OUR HISTORY:

The first Catholic school in Houma was opened on October 11, 1870 by the Marianites of Holy Cross. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart started with an enrollment of 25 girls. The school’s name was changed to St. Francis de Sales Academy in 1879 and boys were admitted for the first time in 1890. With the arrival of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the early 1950s, the school divided into St. Francis de Sales Boys’ and St. Francis de Sales Girls’ High Schools. As enrollment increased in the 1950s and 1960s, a new facility was built at the school’s current location, and the two schools merged in 1965 under the name Houma Central Catholic High School. In 1966 the school was dedicated as Vandebilt Catholic High School, named in the memory of Fr. August Vandebilt who was a longtime pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church.

OUR PHILOSOPHY:

(Excerpt from Brothers of the Sacred Heart - Partners in Mission)

Based on their experiences as students in a Brothers of the Sacred Heart school, Vandebilt Catholic graduates are becoming well-rounded, faith-filled, self-disciplined, compassionate, and academically prepared men and women who respond to God’s love.

RELIGIOUS VALUES

Because of the emphasis on spiritual growth and religious values, we hope that our graduates have a strong belief that God loves them, a willingness to respond to Jesus’ directive to love one another, a commitment to compassion, justice, and service, a desire for a deeper relationship with God through prayer, an understanding of the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, and an intentional integration of faith and daily life.

FRIENDLY DISCIPLINE

Through friendly discipline, we hope our graduates have developed self-discipline that guides their actions, are sensitive and respond with compassion to the limitations of others, have respect for authority and approach relationships with fairness, mutual trust, and cooperation.

PERSONAL ATTENTION

Because of the caring nature and personal attention given to our students, we hope our graduates can genuinely care for others, nurture positive relationships and build community, and value themselves and others as unique children of God.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

As a result of our commitment to academic excellence, we hope our graduates are intellectually curious, are prepared to meet the academic demands of college and work, can strive to reach their intellectual potential, and use their intellectual gifts to serve others more effectively and generously.

St. Francis de Sales Boys’ School

Rooted in Catholic values and in the teachings of Jesus Christ, Vandebilt Catholic is a haven for spiritual formation.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION INCLUDES:

• Daily Religious Education and Classroom Prayer

With an emphasis on the importance of prayer, each school day and class period begins with students and faculty praying together.

• Weekly School Liturgies

Various school groups and teams are given the opportunity to lead a weekly school-wide Masses during the year.

• Daily Mass, Rosaries, and Reconciliation Services

Daily Mass is held in the chapel before school. Schedules are made for group rosaries, adoration, and reconciliation services at lunch periods.

• Yearly Class Retreats

Seniors participate in an off-campus weekend retreat. Full day retreats are provided for grades 8-11 with special attention to the needs of that age group.

• Service Requirements

In an effort to promote the prayerful spirit of service, students are required to complete 15-20 service hours each school year in the categories of service to VCHS to show ownership and pride in school, participation in service day as a school to a charity, and service to the community through a non-profit organization.

• School-Wide Projects and Extracurricular Service

The Annual Christmas project is lead by the senior class to promote service to the community. A school-wide Lenten project also supports the Brothers of the Sacred Heart - Mission Amatongas. School groups and teams also participate in various service projects throughout the year.

• Campus Ministry

Offers an additional opportunity for spiritual growth through various outlets such as Sisters in Christ, Men in Christ, Pro-Life Club, and Big Brother/Big Sister, as well as participating in the March for Life in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C.

Vandebilt Catholic Terriers

come from different zip codes and over 10 public, private, and Catholic elementary schools in the Terrebonne, Lafourche, and surrounding parishes.

members of the Vandebilt Catholic faculty and staff are

A personal approach to the education of the whole student is stressed at Vandebilt Catholic by offering diverse academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs to students with a large range of interests and talents.

The philosophy of Vandebilt Catholic emphasizes friendly discipline, which corrects and admonishes, but at the same time teaches and encourages. While we expect respect for authority and adherence to rules and regulations, we advocate discipline that is respectful of the Christian dignity of the individual, is consistent and fair, and is based on a relationship of mutual trust and cooperation. This is essential to teach love of God, love of neighbor, and love of learning.

The Counseling Center at Vandebilt Catholic strives to assist each individual to grow to his/her maximum potential. The center, in working with students individually and in classes, stresses moral values, coping skills, achieving full academic potential, problem solving, and planning for the future.

The school currently staffs three counselors to provide support to students who experience difficulties such as grief, sickness, mental illness, and stress. The Counseling Center also encourages students to explore college and career readiness through Career Night, College Night, organized visits with various university representatives, and an annual Academic Signing Day for seniors. The school counselors on staff work hand-in-hand with both the Dean of Student Life and the Dean of Academics to ensure that every student’s emotional and academic needs are met during their time at Vandebilt Catholic.

HOPE PROGRAM:

Vandebilt Catholic’s HOPE Program (Higher Options for People with Exceptionalities) offers a modified inclusion setting for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal is to prepare students for the transition to life after high school while continuing to emphasize academic achievement.

For more information about the HOPE Program, please contact Mrs. Gretta Jo Calongne, Director of the HOPE Program at gcalongne@htdiocese.org.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AVAILABLE AT VANDEBILT CATHOLIC:

12th Man Spirit Club

4-H Club

Art Club

Bass Fishing Team

Big Brother/Big Sister Book Club

Campus Ministry Chess Club

Choir Film Club Green Team

Guard/Color Guard Hope Buddy Organization Indoor Percussion

Junior Varsity Jazz Dance Team Key Club Marksmen Club

Men of Christ Music Ministry

National Honor Society (Jr. and Sr. High)

Photography Club Pro-Life Club

Quiz Bowl (Jr. and Sr. High) Reach Club Regiment (Band) Sisters in Christ STEM Club Stitchers Club

Student Government (Jr. and Sr. High)

Technology and Gaming Club

Vantastics Dance Team

VC Theatre (Drama Club)

Vision 153

SPORTS AVAILABLE AT VANDEBILT CATHOLIC:

Baseball* Basketball* (Boys and Girls) Bowling* (Boys and Girls) Cheerleading* Cross Country (Boys and Girls) Football Golf* (Boys and Girls) Gymnastics* (Boys and Girls)

Power-lifting

(Boys and Girls) Soccer* (Boys and Girls) Softball* Swimming* (Boys and Girls) Tennis* (Boys and Girls) Track (Boys and Girls) Volleyball*

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Vandebilt Catholic High School is a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and is bound by the Association’s policies with regard to athletic eligibility.

All questions regarding athletic eligibility should be directed to Mrs. Kayla Vicknair, Athletic Director at kvicknair@htdiocese.org.

The following are general summary statements of these policies:

• RESIDENCE

School districts or attendance zones designated by the public school boards or the federal courts shall be used in determining the eligibility under the transfer rule. School bus routes shall not be used in determining the eligibility under this rule.

• SCHOOL TRANSFERS

A student shall be considered a transfer student if he/she, after establishing eligibility in a school, changes attendance to another school for any reason. A student will be considered as establishing eligibility when he/she has attended at least one class period. He/she will be ineligible for one calendar year after transferring from one member school to another.

• OUTSIDE THE ATHLETIC ATTENDANCE ZONE / CIVIL PARISH

Any student who attends a school outside his/her athletic attendance zone shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at that school for a period of one calendar year from his/ her first day of attendance. Exception: A first year 7th, 8th, or 9th grade student who is transferring outside his/her athletic attendance zone shall be eligible to participate at the sub-varsity level only. The one year period of ineligibility may be waived and the student shall be immediately eligible if the student continuously attended the entire 7th and/or 8th grades at a middle/junior high school of the same member school or school system located outside of his/her athletic attendance zone.

including THREE 2022 state championships in Girls Cross Country, Baseball and Girls Track and Field.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

SOAR PROGRAM:

The S.O.A.R. (Savoie Original Academic Resource) Program’s goal is to help students with specific learning difficulties achieve success in their academic courses. The program currently serves over 100 students, where services are tailored to meet individual student’s needs.

The SOAR Program offers a variety of academic accommodations including:

• Preferential seating in the classroom

• Extended time on tests and quizzes

• Quiet, separate testing environment

• Altered exam schedules

• Tests read aloud

• Copies of teacher notes

Classes offered through the SOAR Program: Skills English Practical Math

Practical Chemistry Study Skills Skills and practical classes offer small group instruction, many opportunities for individual instruction, and slower-paced instruction to better meet the needs of students with learning differences.

Study Skills Class: Students utilize planners and different study strategies to complete homework, assignments, and prepare for upcoming assessments. Teacher and peer tutors are available for students who need individual tutoring/study help.

FAITH.Family.Excellence.

For more information about the SOAR Program, please contact Mrs. Marion Larke ‘00, Director of SOAR Program, at mlarke@htdiocese.org.

EXCELLENCE PROGRAM:

help and study hall through the Academic Excellence Program is offered during the second half each lunch period. Peer tutors are available daily (by reservation or referral only), and subject area teachers are available for concept clarification or homework help on a first-come, first-served basis. Teachers or counselors will refer students for make-up work, tutoring, or homework help. Parents or students may also request peer tutoring services through the Academic Dean, grade level counselor, SOAR Director, or their teacher.

with the class of 2025, Vandebilt Catholic launched a one-to-one Chromebook initiative. With a one-to-one device program, Vandebilt Catholic is fostering improved accountability, along with organization and communication in a safe, secure, and protected learning environment. Students are trained as active participants in problem resolution and are involved in daily interactive, visual, and auditory learning experiences. Evolving technology guarantees that the use of such devices is limitless.

National Merit Scholars

Vandebilt Catholic is accredited by Cognia. It operates with the approval of and in full compliance with the Louisiana State Department of Education and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools. The curriculum exceeds the Louisiana Core 4 requirements and provides needed TOPS courses as well. Students have the opportunity to earn seven credits per year and are required to earn twenty-six units for a Vandebilt Catholic diploma. Honor graduates are required to take a minimum of ten honors courses over the four years of high school, to earn at least twenty-seven units, and to earn at least a 3.5 average.

The curriculum at Vandebilt Catholic has something for everyone:

• Standard classes give students the skills necessary to thrive in virtually any college setting.

• Honors classes are designed for advanced students who wish to delve deeper into subject matter at a more rapid pace. Placement in honors courses is based upon a placement test, standardized test scores, and academic grades. Certain criteria must be met for continued placement in honors courses.

• Advanced Placement (AP) classes allow students to learn at an accelerated pace much like a college-level course with a AP exam given at the end of the year for college credit.

• Dual Enrollment (DE) classes allow students to earn college credit while in high school.

• Skills/practical classes are offered in both math and English at all levels (8-12). Skills classes offer a college-preparatory curriculum with built-in supports for students with learning differences and disabilities. Skills classes also offer a smaller student-teacher ratio to provide more time for one-on-one attention.

8th Grade Year

Religion 8 English 8, English I-Honors

Pre-Algebra, Algebra I-Honors

Earth Science

, Physical Science-Honors

World Geography

Seminar/ Health

Elective 1

Elective Choices: Study Skills 8 (Resource)$ Physical Education Band-8

$ Choir-8

$ Making Music

Curriculum Planning Guide

Freshman Year

Religion I English I, English I Skills (resource), English I LV.I Algebra I, Practical Algebra I*, Geometry LV.I Physical Science, Biology I LV.I Physical Education Elective 1 Elective 2

Sophomore Year

Religion II English II, English II Skills (resource), English II LV.I Geometry, Practical Geometry*, Algebra II LV.I Biology I, Chemistry I LV.I, Biology II LV.I Physical Education Elective 1 Elective 2 (Foreign Language suggested)

Junior Year

Religion III (History of Religion)

Senior Year

Elective Choices: Study Skills I (Resource) $ Physical Education/Athletic P.E. World History (LV.I students) French I Latin I Spanish I Making Music • Band •$ Choir •$ Art I •$ Fine Arts Survey • Theatre I • Graphic Design I Interactive Media Arts • TV/Film Production Computer Applications Personal Finance (full/half year) Marketing/Free Enterprise Psychology I, II (each half year) Sociology (half year)

Elective Choices: Study Skills I/II (Resource) $ Physical Education/Athletic P.E. World History French I, II Latin I, II Spanish I, II Am. Sign Language I (Resource)

English III, English III Skills (resource), English III Pre-AP, English III Pre-AP DE Algebra II, Practical Algebra II*, Advanced Math I,Pre-Calculus LV.I Chemistry I, Practical Chemistry*, Biology II LV.I, Biology II DE, Chemistry II LV.I US History, US History LV.I Elective 1 Elective 2 (Foreign Language suggested)

Elective Choices:

Religion IV English IV, English IV Skills (resource), English IV DE, English IV AP, English IV AP DE

Advanced Math I, Practical Adv. Math I*, Advanced Math II, Calculus LV.I, Calculus LV.I DE, Algebra III DE Physics, Physics LV.I, Chemistry II LV.I, Biology II, Biology II DE, Environmental Science* Civics, American Government AP Elective 1 Elective 2

Elective Choices:

Study Skills I/II/III/IV (Resource)$ Physical Education/Athletic P.E.

World History French I, II, III, IV Latin I, II, III, IV Spanish I, II, III, IV

Am Sign Language II (Resource)

Making Music

• Band •$ Dance (half year)$ Choir •$ Art I, II •$ Fine Arts Survey

• Theatre I• Graphic Design I/ Graphic Design II Publications I Photography (half year) $ Interactive Media Arts • TV/Film Production Advanced TV/Film Production Computer Applications

Advanced Computer Applications Business Law (half year) Accounting (half year)

Speech and Debate

Personal Finance (full/half year) Marketing/Free Enterprise Psychology I, II (each half year)

Sociology (half year)

ACT Prep (half year) (must be enrolled in Alg. II LV.I)

Study Skills I/II/III (Resource) $ Physical Education/Athletic P.E. World History French I, II, III Latin I, II, III Spanish I, II, III Am Sign Language I, II (Resource) Making Music

• Band •$ Dance (half year) $ Choir •$ Art I, II, III •$ Fine Arts Survey

• Theatre I • Graphic Design I/ Graphic Design II Publications I /Publications II Photography (half year) $ Interactive Media Arts

• TV/Film Production Advanced TV/Film Production Computer Applications

Advanced Computer Applications Business Law (half year) Accounting (half year) Speech and Debate Personal Finance (full/half year) Marketing/Free Enterprise Psychology I, II (each half year) Sociology (half year) ACT Prep (half year)

Project Lead the Way- Intro to Engineering Project Lead the Way - Aeronautics

Making Music

• Band •$ Dance (half year) $ Choir •$ Art I, II, III, IV •$ Fine Arts Survey

• Theatre I• Graphic Design I/ Graphic Design II

Publications I /Publications II Photography (half year) $

Interactive Media Arts

• TV/Film Production

Advanced TV/Film Production

Computer Applications

Advanced Computer Applications

Business Law (half year)

Accounting (half year)

Speech and Debate

Personal Finance (full/half year)

Marketing/Free Enterprise

Psychology I, II (each half year)

Sociology (half year)

ACT Prep (half year)

Project Lead the Way - Intro. to Engineering

Project Lead the Way - Aeronautics

Social Justice (full/half year)

Work (full/half year)

The ACT average composite score of a Vandebilt Catholic student over the past three years was which is nearly 6 points higher than the state average.

Typically, two thirds to three fourths of the senior class qualifies for TOPS, and ninety-eight percent of each senior class attends a four-year college or university upon graduation from Vandebilt Catholic.

Vandebilt Catholic Honors Students averaged a on their composite ACT scores over the past three years.

FUTURE PLANS:

In 2021, Vandebilt Catholic published the Terrier Blueprint, as a collaborative vision and strategic plan for the next 5+ years. The publication was made possible by gathering members of our community together to create a collective vision for the future. The publication includes contributions from parents, teachers, students, alumni, and the Vandebilt Catholic consultative board.

Some of the plans for our campus include a new student union, which we hope will create more of a college or university feel to our campus and allow students to not only enjoy incredible food, but also give our students a space to study and congregate. Through a charitable contribution from the Barker family, the upgraded union will be named the Richard “Dickie” Barker Student Union. In conjunction with this project, Vandebilt Catholic moved forward with the transition to running their own food services during the 22-23 school year, utilizing SYSCO products. The updated menu provides students with a variety of options, including healthy choices and a-la-cart items and snacks.

Additionally, the plans feature a Digital Media Center, which will allow students to collaborate on projects, including video and music production, both print and digital media, and graphic design work. A new Physics, Chemistry, and Biology labs will be far more than traditional lab spaces featuring 3D printers, drones, and an increased focus on engineering. Families will have access to a brand new Counseling Center and Student Resource Center, which will allow Vandebilt Catholic to serve the diverse needs of our student population. Modern updates to the classrooms and hallways will not only create a more conducive learning environment, but also create a great sense of pride for our students and teachers.

The full version of the Terrier Blueprint can be found at vandebiltcatholic.org/terrierblueprint.

The Richard “Dickie” Barker Student Union

*Future space renderings are complements of Duplantis Design Group.

Future Digital Media Center

Future Student Resource Center

TUITION ASSISTANCE:

Vandebilt Catholic is committed to providing a holistic education to all students. High priority is given to those families who have supported Catholic schools and great care is given to ensure that the school does not become available only to the social, academic, or athletic elite. Vandebilt Catholic offers tuition assistance based on need with an in-house budget of approximately $150,000. Donated funds are also available through endowed scholarships.

Families must complete the registration process to apply for tuition assistance. Registration applications must be submitted by February 17, 2023. FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment conducts the need analysis for Vandebilt Catholic. Families applying for financial aid will need to complete an online application at www.factsmgt.com by March 10, 2023. The process takes about twenty minutes to complete and there is a $40 (approximate) application fee. All supporting documentation must be uploaded, and application status should read “completed” by the deadline in order to be considered for assistance.

PARTNERING TUITION DONATION REBATE PROGRAMS:

Additional assistance may be available through partnering scholarship opportunities for those entering Vandebilt Catholic from public schools or those who are currently on tuition donation rebate programs:

ACE Scholarships Louisiana acescholarships.org

Arete aretescholars.org

Louisiana Scholars Program (LSP) louisianabelieves.com

For more information regarding tuition assistance, please contact Mrs. Lori Liner, Bookkeeper at lori.liner@htdiocese.org.

ADMISSIONS:

Vandebilt Catholic High School admits students of any religion or ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or national origin in the administration of its admission policies, tuition assistance program, or any school-administered program. Registration for the 2023-2024 school year will begin in February 2023.

Admission is based on the

considerations: a desire to attend Vandebilt Catholic, elementary school record, and an interview with the student.

Admission Timeline*

November

January

January

February

February

February

March

April

April

April

April

to parents/guardians

on the FACTS website (www.factsmgt.com)

to VCHS

on the FACTS website (www.factsmgt.com)

VCHS

*All

alma mater