Founded in 1962 Verbum Dei Jesuit High School stands proudly in Watts Los Angeles. This isn’t just any school. It’s a beacon of hope a testament to the resilience of a community. Verbum Dei meaning “Word of God” in Latin began modestly at St Leon’s Catholic Church. It quickly outgrew its temporary home.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles saw the need for a Catholic high school in this underserved area. They secured funding through the Youth Education Fund. The fund was spearheaded by Archbishop J Francis A McIntyre. He collected donations to build schools where they were desperately needed. Verbum Dei and Regina Caeli in Compton were the first such schools in Southeast Los Angeles.
The new Verbum Dei campus was a stunning $1.5 million project. Architect Roy W Donley designed a beautiful complex. It included a chapel classrooms a multi-purpose hall and an administration building. The school was built on the site of a former steel plant a 15-acre plot transformed into a place of learning.
Father Joseph A Francis a member of the Society of the Divine Word led the school. He’s believed to have been the first African American principal of a Catholic school. His vision was bold. He wanted to create “Watts Towering” making the boys of Watts into the towering men of Los Angeles. His legacy continues to inspire. His sister Mabel Francis speaks of his unwavering dedication to justice.
Verbum Dei opened its doors in 1964. It initially had 230 students. It offered a three-track curriculum: college preparatory general and business. Even during the Watts Rebellion in 1965 Verbum Dei remained untouched. The strong community ties likely helped protect it. The school hosted community events like annual Zydeco festivals raising funds for its students.
Verbum Dei’s athletic success was legendary. The basketball team achieved six consecutive CIF titles between 1969 and 1974. They played on the multipurpose auditorium floor not a regulation hardwood court. Their home games were at other venues. Yet they became a national powerhouse ranking 4th in the US in 1974.
The school maintained its academic excellence. By the 1980s over 85 percent of graduates went to college. The graduation rate was 99 percent. Football also flourished winning two consecutive CIF titles in the early 1980s. The school’s basketball dominance had a brief resurgence in the mid-1990s. It had two more championships under Coach Mike Kearney.
Enrollment declined at the turn of the 21st century. The Archdiocese turned to the Jesuits for financial support. A new model was adopted. It was the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School model from Chicago. This implemented a Corporate Work Study Program. It subsidizes tuition and provides students with valuable work experience.
The program is a key part of Verbum Dei today. Students work one day a week. They gain real world experience and financial support. Many alumni such as Nick Spates found this to be a significant advantage. It gave him a head start in college and his career. The program changed the school it allowed them to continue their mission of serving low income students. It also limited the enrollment.
Verbum Dei continues to thrive. It has achieved three national titles six state titles and 21 CIF titles. It boasts a 75 percent four-year college acceptance rate. The school is a remarkable story of perseverance. It’s a place where dreams are built and futures are shaped.