About Us

Verbum Dei Jesuit High School

Verbum Dei Jesuit High School was founded in 1962 by the Society of the Divine Word to serve the predominantly Black community of Watts in South Los Angeles. Opening its doors in St. Leo’s Parish under the leadership of Fr. Joseph Francis, SVD—the first Black principal at a U.S. Catholic school—it moved to its current Central Avenue campus in 1964 

Despite the trials of the Watts Riots and decades of socio-economic challenges, the school became a beacon of opportunity—boasting consecutive CIF basketball championships and sending increasing numbers of young men to college.

In 2002, under Jesuit leadership, Verbum Dei joined the Cristo Rey Network and launched the transformative Corporate Work Study Program—a model that integrates four years of professional work experience into students’ academic journey.

On July 1, 2022, the school officially became Verbum Dei Jesuit High School, marking its full transition as a Jesuit-led institution.