These endowment funds enable Visitation Academy to move toward greater academic excellence by giving the school a predictable source of revenue and financial stability. The gift is permanently invested. A draw amount is annually approved by the Board of Trustees, insuring steady growth of the invested funds while enhancing the annual operating budget.
This fund was first established in 1986 by the Sisters of the Visitation. Since that time, substantial gifts from the Sisters, alumnae, parents, friends and Academy organizations have greatly increased the fund, providing assistance to more deserving students every year. All distributions are need based.
This endowment fund for the Sister Cecilia Carroll, VHM Award in Music was established in 2018 by Rodger J. and Jean Marré Faherty ’55 in loving memory of Sister Cecilia Carroll, VHM. The Award was established to honor a graduating senior with outstanding vocal or instrumental musical talent.
In 2001, memorial tributes from family and friends of Susannah Kilmer ’94 began to grow. Through their committed efforts, in 2004, the Susannah Kilmer Memorial Fund was established to encourage Visitation Academy students to participate in service projects. Funds are directed to the Campus Ministry Department to help underwrite expenses for Camp de Sales, a Salesian leadership camp, and Vistory (Visitation in Service to Others through Responsive Youth), a week of service promoting spirituality and sisterhood with girls from other Visitation schools, as well as other similar projects which will enhance service to Visitation and the world community.
Ellen Thomasson Malecek was a proud 1989 graduate of Visitation Academy. She was an entrepreneur and co-owner of Paradigm New Media Group, and Viz always remained close to her heart. When Ellen passed in 2012, her classmates, friends, and family honored her memory by establishing The Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Viz. This program inspires and encourages young women possessing the same entrepreneurial spirit and sense of creativity as Ellen by providing them with the skills necessary to be a successful entrepreneur.
The fund was established by Zeta Lisa Rosalia Mattioni in loving memory of her father, Enrico Mattioni, and in honor of Mr. Mattioni's good friend, Charles Jones. Because of Mr. Mattioni's love for his granddaughter, Lauren Weber, and his belief in Montessori education, all proceeds from the fund benefit the Visitation Academy Montessori program.
Established in 2004 by her husband, Wofford, this fund is a tribute to Beth Broz Denius ’70, providing assistance to an Upper School student who displays financial need, a high level of creativity, and who excels in the visual and/or performing arts.
The Dan Hildebrand Scholarship Fund was established in 2018, through gifts by the Sisters of the Visitation and Safari Auction donors, to honor and thank Dan Hildebrand for his two years of outstanding service to Visitation Academy as Interim Head of School. Creating a diverse student body is of great importance to Dan. This fund will assist diverse students with tuition and related expenses, with preference given to diverse students such as those from Access Academies.
This fund was established by the Visitation Sisters in 1994. Offering financial assistance to Upper and Lower School African-American students, these awards may pay for tuition as well as supplemental expenses (transportation, books, etc.).
The St. Jude Fund was established to provide scholarships to academically qualified students whose families do not have the resources to pay tuition. Preference for the scholarships will be given to students from traditionally underrepresented groups.
In 1992, members of the Fathers’ Club established a fund to ensure the continuity of education for students whose families experience financial difficulty. The Fathers’ Club wants to help those families whose major financial supporter is without substantial, meaningful employment; incurs a serious health problem; or is deceased. Since its inception, the Emergency Financial Aid Fund has been the primary focus of Fathers’ Club fundraising efforts.
The Fathers Club Endowed Emergency Financial Aid Fund was established in 2010 to complement their Emergency Financial Aid Fund by providing a permanent, growing resource for financial assistance to qualified young women regardless of socio-economic background and life circumstances. The principal amount of the fund is to be invested in perpetuity and restricted for the purpose of providing financial aid following the guidelines set forth in the Emergency Financial Aid Fund.
Established in 1992 by Elna DeLisle ’26, these awards are based on financial need, service, and character. The funds are available for a student entering the Middle School from Visitation’s Lower School or the daughter of an alumna.
Established by Isabelle and Donald Lenhardt in 1995, financial aid is available to Upper School students who are daughters of alumnae, and may be used for uniforms, books, etc., as well as tuition.
A limited number of St. Jane de Chantal Legacy Scholarships, in the amount of $4,000 each, are available for qualified new students attending Visitation Academy. The applicant must be enrolled full time and the applicant’s mother, grandmother and/or aunt must be a Visitation Academy of St. Louis graduate.
The Amy Ansehl Bade Class of 1969 Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 to honor the class of 1969’s 50th reunion year. This scholarship fund will provide tuition assistance to young women in grades 7-12 who have the merit, but not the financial ability, to attend Visitation Academy.
Established in 2006 by Maureen McGrath and Robert Gorecki to honor Anna Stransky, an exchange student from Germany, the fund provides financial assistance to a Visitation student whose family demonstrates financial need.
This fund was established in 2006 by alumna Ann Hynes Dewes ’31, in gratitude for the excellent education she received at Visitation Academy. Funds are available to academically qualified students who show financial need.
The Caro/Crutsinger Fund, established in 2002, provides funds to academically qualified students whose families do not have the resources to pay tuition. Funds may also help to meet the short-term needs of a current student.
The Chadeayne Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by the Ann C.T. Brown Foundation to honor Ann, a Visitation Academy alumna of the class of 1939. The scholarship fund also honors her three sisters, Marilee, class of 1940, Deborah, class of 1944, and Gabrielle, class of 1957, and their parents, Henry and Mildred Chadeayne. As someone who greatly valued educational opportunity, Ann wanted to help provide Visitation educations to qualified young women regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds and life circumstances.
Established by Angela Desloge Montana in 1999, these funds are available for Upper School students, with preference given to the daughter of a single mother.
The John A. and Dorothy A. Brennan Financial Aid Fundwas established in 2023 to honor Jack and Dottie Brennan’s memory as well as celebrate their lives and legacy at Visitation Academy. Dottie Gantner Brennan (‘51) attended Visitation Academy from 2nd-12th grade. Jack was no stranger to a Visitation education. In addition to his wife, Dottie, Jack’s mother, Agnes Keefe Brennan (‘20), his sister, Virginia Brennan Tufano (‘52), and his daughter, Ann Brennan Buss (‘87) as well as two granddaughters all graduated from Visitation. The Visitation Sisters tapped Jack for a leadership role, and he served as the chairperson of the first Board of Trustees, helping to plan with the Sisters for the day that would come when they would no longer lead the school. Jack and Dottie received the Visitation Academy Award of Excellence in 1997. This fund is an appropriate legacy because education was a passion of Jack and Dottie Brennan, and this fund will help make a Visitation education possible for deserving students for years to come.
This fund was established through a bequest from the estate of Mr. John T. Neaf in 2004, to honor his sister, Miriam Neaf ’39. All distributions are need-based.
The fund was established in 2004 by Lane Roberts in tribute to his wife, who loved Visitation and served on the Board of Trustees for many years. Distributions may be used to provide financial assistance to a Visitation student entering 7th grade and demonstrating financial need. This assistance may be renewed provided the recipient continues to meet all academic and other standards of Visitation Academy and continues to demonstrate financial need.
The Kate McKee Mitchell Financial Aid Fund was established in 2016 to honor Kate’s memory and celebrate her life. Kate, Class of 1990, was a kind and giving person who brought joy and love to everyone she met. Visitation Academy was an important part of her life: spiritually, academically, and through the many friendships she made. This financial aid fund is an appropriate legacy because it will similarly benefit Visitation students for years to come.
The Kathleen Ann Kickham Hoover Financial Aid Fund was established in 2008 to honor Ann’s memory and celebrate her life. This fund was created to ensure that a Visitation education would be available to qualified young women regardless of socio-economic background and life circumstances. Ann, Visitation class of 1980, was a wonderful, kind, smart, and giving person, so this fund is an appropriate legacy because it will support many Visitation students.
The Kathleen Yukiko Tull Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 to honor Katie’s memory and celebrate her life. Katie was a 7th grade student who loved life and lived it fully. She made many new friendships, excelled at art, and was active in school activities, including the drama program. Katie’s Scholarship Fund will benefit Visitation students for years to come.
The Mary A. Robert Financial Aid Fund was established in 2008 to honor Mary Robert’s memory and celebrate her life. Mrs. Robert, daughter of Croatian immigrants; mother of five Visitation Academy graduates, Barbara Robert Lea ’70, Jeanne Robert Swift ’72, Judith Robert ’73, Janet Robert ’73, and Linda Robert Honigfort ’74; and grandmother of Amanda Honigfort ’10; was an intelligent and caring woman. Through her generous support of Visitation Academy and many other worthwhile organizations, Mrs. Robert made a major impact on our school and the entire St. Louis community.
Mrs. Robert’s positive influence on the lives of others will continue through her endowment fund, providing tuition assistance so a Visitation education will be available to many qualified young women regardless of socio-economic background and life circumstances.
The Michael F. and Kathleen A. Kickham Financial Aid Fund was established in 2015 by their daughter, Mary and her husband, Patrick Hickey, to honor the memory and celebrate the lives of Michael F. and Kathleen A. Kickham. Mr. and Mrs. Kickham were Visitation parents and grandparents. Their appreciation of the Visitation Sisters and the value of a Visitation education was reflected in their generous support of the school and the Visitation community during their lifetimes. This fund is an appropriate legacy because it will benefit Visitation students for years to come.
Established in 2004, the fund is a tribute to the life of Molly Gleason, a sixth grader at Visitation whose brave battle with leukemia began and ended earlier that year. Molly’s fund has been designated to provide financial assistance to qualified young Christian women regardless of socio-economic background and life circumstances. Recipients may be enrolled in the Lower School or Upper School and their families must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to a daughter of a single parent in the Lower School.
The Mooney Family Tuition Assistance Fund was established in 2011 by Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Mooney to ensure that a Visitation education would be available to qualified young women, regardless of socio-economic background and life circumstances.
The Roshney Simon Financial Aid Fund was established in 2013 by classmates, parents and friends to honor the memory and celebrate the life of Roshney Simon, a member of the Visitation Academy Class of 2011. Tuition assistance is available to qualified students who show financial need.
The Sister Anne Madeleine Godefroy Fund was established to honor a beloved member of the Visitation family who served in a myriad of ways. She taught little girls in first grade for many years, introduced Montessori education in 1963, and served as Principal, Trustee and Acting Head of School. Sister Anne Madeleine’s commitment and abiding faith were exemplified through her labors of love for Visitation Academy.
The Sister Catherine Brady Scholarship Fund was established in 2018 by Polly de Penaloza Kramer, Visitation Academy Class of 1984, and her husband, Jeffrey Kramer, to pay tribute and recognize the years of love and dedication Sister Catherine has shown to all the young girls she has touched at Visitation. This fund was created to ensure that a Visitation education would be available to any qualified student who does not have the financial resources to attend.
The fund was established in 2007 by friends of Sister Lucy to recognize her service to the Visitation Academy family. Funds are available to academically qualified students who show financial need.
In 1833 the Sisters of the Visitation traveled from Georgetown to the St. Louis area, imparting knowledge to young women in an atmosphere of love and Salesian spirituality. Stemming from a legacy established by their founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal, the Sisters have educated and molded area youth of multiple generations. The fund was established during the 175th anniversary year of the Academy to honor and thank our dear Sisters.
The Tony Montebello Financial Aid Fund was established in 2008 by his family, friends and the Visitation Fathers’ Club. Father of Alison, class of 2012, and Kate, class of 2015, Tony was active in Fathers’ Club activities and particularly enjoyed the first annual Visitation Academy Golf Tournament in 2007.
Visitation Academy is an independent, private Catholic school offering a coeducational Montessori preschool and Kindergarten program, the area's only all-girl elementary program for Grades 1-5, and an all-girl middle school and all-girl high school.