April 5, 2025

Dear Friends of The Good Shepherd School,

Whenever you walk into the Good Shepherd School or anywhere in New Orleans, you can sense the spirit and impact of Fr. Harry Tompson.  His passion, determination, and faith are evident in so many missions, organizations, and people.  Fr. Tompson entered his eternal reward on this day in 2001, but his legacy endures.

Fr. Tompson knew the power one person had in helping others defy the odds – and he challenged us to be that “one person” for others.  In many ways, Fr. Tompson was an early pioneer in the national school choice movement by providing opportunity and access to a quality, faith-based education that is totally funded by the generosity of others.  In the January before his death, Fr. Tompson told a packed audience at a fundraiser for GSS – “We are going to take these young children and help them understand that there is love in this world.  You and I are going to take care of them.”
At a time when inner-city Catholic schools in New Orleans and the nation are either closing or experiencing significant enrollment declines, GSS enrollment has increased by 215% since 2017 and construction has started on the Gayle & Tom Benson Good Shepherd School – Giving Hope Campus in the Desire-Florida community.  The Good Shepherd School mission is respected locally and nationally for being a leading advocate for school choice.
For the past twenty-four years, the GSS mission and those who believe in it have taken care of the young children and families entrusted to us.   Entire family narratives are being changed by the GSS mission – by Fr. Harry’s dream.

• GSS now has 258 graduates and 325 current students.  We have 143 graduates thriving in local high schools, nineteen who have completed college, and over 90 more pursuing their degrees.
• 100% of GSS graduates finish high school in four years compared to 78.9% from Orleans Parish public schools.
• Approximately 85% of GSS graduates are on pace to graduate college – compared to students of similar poverty backgrounds, only 56% of local public-school graduates even enroll in college and fewer actually graduate.
• GSS provides families with a broad spectrum of social and mental health services – all delivered on campus at no cost – over 54% of students are receiving at least one service to assist them with their diagnosed needs.
• On the recent national NWEA MAP test, our kindergarten students have astonishing results – in reading, 57% scored mastery or advanced and over 91% scored basic and above; in math, 53% scored mastery or advanced and over 85% scored basic and above.  GSS received a School Progress Rating of “A” on last year’s LEAP test.

In 2001, a Gambit Weekly article mentioned that even though he “did not live to see the fulfillment of his life’s greatest work, Fr. Tompson did everything he could to make sure that work would continue after his passing.”  Our mission is a community effort and we ask all to consider being “partners in our mission” – to be that one person for others – as we enhance the lives of our students and the greater community we serve – GSS Donation Page - Good Shepherd School - New Orleans, LA. 

​We are forever grateful for your selfless generosity to keep the legacy of Fr. Tompson thriving and growing.

​Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,


​
Thomas G. Moran, Jr.
President/CEO