Vandebilt Catholic High School  

HISTORY OF VCHS
     Vandebilt Catholic High School has a rich history as a school in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. As the only Catholic secondary school in Terrebonne Parish, which is predominantly Catholic, Vandebilt serves the important function as the sole provider of a Catholic, Christian, values-based education for teenagers of the families in this constituency. Vandebilt Catholic High School was founded by the Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross in 1870 and is continued by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. It was not until 1983 that the school year opened without a Marianite nun on staff, ending the order's history with the school. In 1992, forty years after they took over administrative duties, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart gave up administration of Vandebilt, and the first lay principal became chief administrator of the school. Two Brothers remain as faculty members.

     The success of Vandebilt's academic focus can be measured in the fact that the school's average composite scores on standardized tests have consistently been well above state and national averages. Vandebilt students also win among the highest number of medals of all participating schools at the district literary rally. To accommodate those students with learning differences, an innovative resource program for dyslexic students was established in 1990. Use of multi-sensory teaching techniques captured the attention of the National Catholic Educational Association's journal Momentum and of Today's Catholic Teacher magazine. The latter publication chose to honor Vandebilt as one of the twenty-five most innovative Catholic schools in the nation for the past twenty-five years. The desirability of a Vandebilt education is measurable in the extent of the growth of enrollment, which is approaching one thousand.

     A large number of Vandebilt students typically receive the Eagle of the Cross Award, the highest honor given to Catholic youth; sixteen Vandebilt students received this prestigious award in 2002. A Campus Ministry organization has been established so that juniors and seniors could develop their faith and share with peers who have the same objective. Campus Ministry began the annual Christmas Project in 1983, which helps many families in our community.

     The original statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that stood for many years at the academy and sisters' convent was placed as an adornment in front of VCHS. Other additions to the physical plant include the construction of a new library, new classrooms, new science labs, new computer labs, and a new multi-purpose building that houses an auditorium/gymnasium and a band room.

School Community
     Vandebilt serves students in Houma and in surrounding communities.  Currently 12.5% of the student body resides in Lafourche Parish, while 87.5% reside in Terrebonne Parish.  Free bus transportation is provided each morning to students residing in the Raceland-Mathews-Lockport area, and also for the Larose, Cut-Off, Golden Meadow areas.