[2][3] Vandebilt was founded by the Marianites of Holy Cross in 1870 as Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy (then as St. Francis de Sales Catholic High School from 1879 until 1965, and later Houma Central Catholic High School until 1966) and continued by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

The school primarily serves Catholic students of Terrebonne Parish.

A college preparatory curriculum is offered as the school stresses a religious approach to the education of the whole student through academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs.

Father Vandebilt died in his position as pastor of the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Louisiana.

On March 27, 1966, Houma Central Catholic High School was named in honor of Father Vandebilt on the occasion of his birth centenary.