VCHS Giving Guide 2026

FAITH FAMILY EXCELLENCE vandebiltcatholic.org I 1 I

oUR

MISSION 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.

OUR

History Vandebilt Catholic High School is a diocesan co-educational institution for grades 8–12 in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

We are committed to spiritual formation and academic excellence in an environment rooted in Catholic values and in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

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.

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educating

OUR spiritual leaders VCHS CLASS OF 1979

CREATING A

CULTURE OF SERVICE Vandebilt Catholic TERRIERS contribute nearly

Chancellor—Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Rector—Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales “I fondly remember Brother Anthon’s stories about doing mission work in Africa. Something in the lesson prompted his memory and he would get a far-off look in his eyes talking about traveling through the darkness of night and stopping to pray the Liturgy of Hours by the headlights of the vehicle he was driving before the day was done. Or he recalled pedaling his bike as fast as he could (with his head down and accompanied by gestures) before getting thirsty and stopping to drink from a ditch alongside the road – having to wipe away the scum before cupping his hands

15,000

SERVICE HOURS PER YEAR to the school, the Church, and the community.

to scoop up the water to refresh himself. To me, it sounded like such an adventure! Then after a thoughtful pause, Brother would bark out his signature ‘and we keep on,’ returning to a definition of the Fertile Crescent – ‘an isthmus of land … the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers …’

I continue to volunteer at VCHS because the Liturgy is the work of the Church and even if we are not conscious of it in our teenage years, it forms us and shapes us as a People of God."

is the only high school in the area where students attend weekly school-wide Mass.

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educating our future

WORKFORCE, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

VCHS CLASS OF 1978

VCHS CLASS OF 1980

Dealer—Barker Buick GMC and Barker Honda

CEO—Terrebonne General Health Systems

"I have employed hundreds of Vandebilt Catholic graduate students at the hospital. The attributes that are prevalent include their obvious solid education, their willingness to work hard, their professionalism, but above all, their high ethical regard in the workplace and in life.

Vandebilt graduates have a strong sense of volunteerism and service to others less fortunate in the community. This aligns well with our mission at Terrebonne General.

The community needs Vandebilt Catholic! Preparing students for college and a commitment to religion and spirituality are a differencemaker in the lives of not only the graduates, but also in the community. High expectations by the teachers, along with the school’s strong commitment to the service of others, make Vandebilt an outstanding investment. I often say that children are our best investment and Vandebilt has consistently produced outstanding graduates."

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“I sent my children to Vandebilt Catholic High School because my wife Angelique and I love the school. We are blessed by how it brought us together and established the foundation for us to create a successful life together along with our most cherished friends. I can validate beyond a shadow of doubt that Vandebilt Catholic High School today is an exceptional college prep school that promotes Catholic values. My children have completed medical school, a masters degree in business, and physician assistant school. The Vandebilt Catholic education was exceptional, but what I appreciate most about its graduates are the values of who they are, their principles, and the respect they have for anyone they meet.”

excellence

in academics, athletics and spiritual formation

681

CURRENT ENROLLMENT

48

%

MALE

52

%

FEMALE

White/Caucasian Black/ African American

82% 11%

American Indian/ Native Alaskan

2% 2%

Asian

3%

Hispanic

CURRENT ALUMNI

9,918

Vandebilt Catholic Students come from 19 DIFFERENT ZIP CODES in the Terrebonne, Lafourche, and surrounding parishes including public, private, and Catholic elementary schools.

28 Vandebilt Catholic STAFF AND FACULTY ALUMNI

7.2

$

98

MILLION

in scholarships from colleges, universities, and the TOPS program, averaging

SACRED HEART SCHOLAR AWARDS have been awarded to Vandebilt Catholic students in the past five years.

$

55,400

per graduate,were offered to the Class of 2025.

% 99.5 GRADUATES

of were accepted into 38 different colleges & universities across the country just last year.

107

ATHLETIC TEAM STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025 Girls Basketball & Softball

OVER

25%

OF GRADUATES made 27+ on composite ACT score.

39 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

25

STANDARDIZED TESTS

ATHLETIC TEAMS

scores are consistently well above local, state, and national averages, a testament to our academic focus.

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PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS

OF ALL ABILITIES Our HOPE (HIGHER OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES) PROGRAM offers a modified inclusion setting for students with intellectual and developmental differences. The goal is to prepare students for the transition to life after high school while continuing to emphasize academic achievement.

HOPE prioritizes academics with a significant emphasis on students' vocation/transitional exploration. Founded on the belief that all individuals can learn, student success is the cornerstone of the program.

hope program

President—Vandebilt Catholic High School

The HOPE CURRICULUM is centered on the following: Each HOPE STUDENT’S course of study is individualized and developed through collaboration between the student, parents, and faculty.

“The importance of the HOPE Program lies in the understanding that the program does not exist just to serve a handful of students with special needs.

The HOPE Program exists so that all Vandebilt Catholic students can have the experience of God’s unconditional love through their shared experience with students from HOPE. My daughter Macy has Down Syndrome and began the program in the Fall of 2023. Our decision to move to Houma and join the Vandebilt Catholic community was in large part due to this program. We wanted BOTH of our daughters to have access to a Catholic education and Vandebilt Catholic was one of the few Catholic schools in the state with a special education program.”

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What a student will learn is clearly identified in the annual goals of their Individualized Catholic Education Plan (ICEP). Individual progress is measured by demonstrated achievements.

Vocational/Transitional skills are addressed each year, providing soft skills and independent work skills through a comprehensive vocational/transitional curriculum.

Each student's needs are accommodated through a variety of instructional strategies and assessment tools in order to realize their potential.

HOPE STUDENTS receive individualized job coaching from HOPE FACULTY for both on-campus and off–campus employability.

19

%

soar program

of Vandebilt Catholic students participate in the SOAR Resource Program.

Our SOAR (SAVOIE ORIGINAL

ACADEMIC RESOURE) RESOURCE PROGRAM is designed to help students with specific learning difficulties achieve success in their academic courses.

VCHS CLASS OF 2014

GOALS FOR STUDENTS: Incorporate specific techniques and study skills Celebrate God-given gifts and talents

Take ownership of learning

Become independent, lifelong learners

Diagnostician—Nicholls State University Louisiana Center for Dyslexia & Related Learning Disorders

“The SOAR Resource Program was an integral part of my success at Vandebilt. The program allowed me to take my tests in a distractionfree environment, extend my time on tests, move my exam schedule around to better prepare, and provided me with class notes.

Without these accommodations I would not have succeeded the way that I did. I also find it notable that it was optional I 7 I

to use your accommodations.

There were many times that I wanted to take my test in the classroom; however, if I chose to go to the testing room I could.

This allowed me to feel in control of my learning and let me decide what I thought was best for me.

I truly believe that if not for Vandebilt Catholic and the Resource Program I would not have been able to make the grades I needed to go to the college I wanted, and to succeed in the way that I did.

Vandebilt Catholic was a place that I felt safe and supported.”

investing in

EXPANDING CURRICULUM DIVERSITY PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE

our future

Our curriculum has grown to reflect the needs of our community and the demands of tomorrow's workforce. In 2024, we introduced three innovative courses that connect students directly to local industries, giving them a head start in real-world careers.

OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE

$

500,000

DRONE CLASS Students can earn an FAA certification and are prepared for careers in growing industry fields.

To Strengthen Student Success and Ensure Institutional Sustainability EACH YEAR At VCHS, we believe that exceptional education is about more than just academics—it’s about providing our students with the support, tools, and experiences they need to thrive.

With the help of our dedicated community, we are committed to giving every student the best possible foundation for lifelong success. This year, we are seeking to raise $500,000 to support strategic initiatives that ensure our students excel academically, emotionally, and physically, while safeguarding the sustainability of our school for years to come.

Why These

Priorities

INVESTING IN OUR TEACHERS To maintain the highest standards of education, we've made teacher and staff retention a top priority. For the 2025-2026 school year, we provided a $2,500 pay raise for every teacher. These raises allow us to retain our best educators and attract new talent to enrich our students' learning experiences.

HAPPY, MOTIVATED TEACHERS mean engaged students.

COMPETITIVE PAY ensures we hire and keep the best educators.

YOUR SUPPORT means we continue to attract teachers who are passionate about SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION.

matter

INCREASING STUDENT SUPPORT AND EMPOWERING EVERY STUDENT TO THRIVE We've enhanced our student services by adding a counseling center coordinator in 2025-2026, as well as the addition of an athletic trainer two years ago. These additions ensure that we can give more personal care and attention to our students, fostering academic success and emotional well-being.

ADDITIONAL PERSONAL SUPPORT The addition of our counseling center coordinator now provides additional support to our three counselors, ensuring individualized attention to help students navigate both academic challenges and social-emotional needs.

BETTER COVERAGE AT ATHLETIC EVENTS

ADDRESSING RISING COSTS COVERING INSURANCE PREMIUMS TO KEEP VCHS SECURE VCHS's financial sustainability is essential to continuing our mission. Since 2020, property insurance costs have more than doubled, resulting in a significant strain on our budget. This year, 12% of every student's tuition is allocated toward insurance coverage, but we still face an $808,000 premium for the 2025-2026 school year.

how you

can help JOIN US IN REACHING OUR $500,000 GOAL

The additional athletic trainer allows us to extend care to all student-athletes, ensuring a safer experience across every sport even at junior high events.

We are committed to meeting our financial objectives through community -driven initiatives and your generous support.

Here's how we accomplish our goal:

YOUR SUPPORT helps build A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT where students feel SEEN, HEARD AND CARED FOR on and off the field.

BASIC MACHINE COURSE In partership with K+B Machines, this class introduces students to manufacturing.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY Our state-of-the-art STEM lab offers students hands-on experience in 3D printing and design.

They learn to take concepts from idea to creation.

TERRIER TAILGATE FUNDRAISER: $100,000 ANNUAL FUND: $125,000 UNRESTRICTED GIFTS: $275,000 I 8 I

VCHS is blessed to have faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends who believe and support our mission and provide financial resources to help make a Vandebilt Catholic education possible for students today and tomorrow. Every gift makes a difference in the lives of our students.

VANDEBILT CATHOLIC ANNUAL FUND: A gift to Vandebilt

Catholic’s annual fund provides unrestricted funds to cover operational expenses that are not fully covered by tuition income.

ENDOWMENTS: Gifts to one of our many endowments allow

the donor to direct monies to a particular interest that generally restricts the school to spending the annual interest earned bythe endowment.

PLANNED GIFTS: Planned or Legacy gifts are those that

donors provide to the school by naming Vandebilt Catholic as a beneficiary in their estate plans.

SPONSORSHIPS: Sponsors provide vital financial funding that

help Vandebilt Catholic execute many events and activities.

Sponsors are recognized in multiple ways depending on the type of event or activity. Advertisement opportunities are also available for Vandebilt Catholic's outdoor marquee signs, fencing, sporting facilities, etc.

CAPITAL GIVING: Capital gifts fund a particular facility

improvement that is either outlined in the school’s strategic plan, The Terrier Blueprint, or recognized as a pending need.

RESTRICTED VS. UNRESTRICTED GIFTS A restricted gift is one that the donor specifies how their donation will be used.

Unrestricted gifts (which the school prefers) can be used wherever the need is greatest.

TAX SAVVY CONTRIBUTIONS As of March 14, 2023, everyone who has IRA accounts must take minimum distributions from his/her account.

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The distribution is taxable income in the year of the distribution.

There may be a way to use some or all the distribution and make a tax savvy gift to Vandebilt Catholic High School. Consult with your financial advisor/tax professional if you are contemplating a charitable gift under the Qualified Charitable Distribution provision. (Tax laws constantly change. Please consult with your tax professional to learn how charitable giving can benefit you.)

A GIFT TO VANDEBILT CATHOLIC’S ANNUAL FUND PROVIDES UNRESTRICTED FUNDS TO COVER OPERATIONAL EXPENSES THAT ARE NOT FULLY COVERED BY TUITION INCOME.

GIVING LEVELS: The VCHS Angels - $100,000 & above The Brothers of the Sacred Heart Circle - $50,000 - $99,999 The Marianite Circle - $25,000 - $49.999 Father Vandebilt Society - $10,000 - $24,999 Brother Alfred Society - $5,000 - $9,999 The President’s Club - $2,500 - $4,999 The Principal’s Club $1,000 - $2,499 The Alma Mater Club - $500 - $999 The Blue & Gold Club - $250 - $499 Terrier Friends Gifts - up to $249

VCHS

Endowments Funds currently invested through the Catholic Foundation:

You may fund an endowment in several ways: • Give an immediate gift of cash, stocks, securities, real estate, and/or personal property.

• Make a pledge and pay the donation over several years.

• Leave a bequest in your will.

• Set up an annuity or trust.

Vandebilt Catholic High School has partnered with the Catholic Foundation to build a beautiful lasting legacy for generations to come ensuring our students have access to Catholic education. Your gift to the Catholic Foundation to support VCHS will provide long term sustainability for our future Terriers.

Since 2014 all Vandebilt Catholic endowments have been invested in the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. For more information you can visit their website at catholicfoundationsl.org.

Prior to the creation of the Catholic Foundation, all Vandebilt Catholic Endowments were invested in Central Finance of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

BROTHER ALFRED KOLB ENDOWMENT BROTHER RAY HUHN ENDOWMENT COACH JACK BECKER MEMORIAL VCH FUND GABRIELLE HEBERT ENDOWMENT JOHN AND HELEN RIZZO VCHS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT MEGAN HITT ENDOWMENT MOTHERS CLUB ENDOWMENT STUDENT BODY SCHOLARSHIP FUND T.J. CANTRELLE VANDEBILT CATHOLIC ENDOWMENT VANDEBILT CATHOLIC GENERAL ENDOWMENT V FOUNDATION OF SOUTH LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT Often families would like to memorialize through endowments, however Vandebilt Catholic also offers potential naming opportunities on campus. If this is something you are interested in, please contact the Advancement Department at 985-580-1868.

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$

CASH

CHECKS

ONLINE GIVING Visit vandebiltcatholic.org and click "Give Now"

your impact makes a difference

CREDIT CARDS Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express

When you support VCHS, you are investing in more than just a school; you are investing in the lives of students, the future of our community, and the strength of the programs that define our success.

STOCKS, BONDS, MUTUAL FUNDS & OTHER APPRECIATED SECURITIES

Together we can EMPLOYER MATCHING GIFT

SUPPORT EVERY STUDENT'S ACADEMIC AND EMOTIONAL JOURNEY

PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CAREERS THAT DRIVE OUR LOCAL ECONOMY

ATTRACT AND RETAIN OUTSTANDING TEACHERS WHO INSPIRE

MANAGE RISING COSTS TO KEEP VCHS STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE

Your generosity will allow us to meet the needs of today while repairing for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

Thank you for believing in our mission and being a part of our journey.

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THANK YOU! VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 209 South Hollywood Road Houma I Louisiana I 70360 (985) 580-1868

vandebiltcatholic.org

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