Jesuits Add Staff to Keep Watts Prep School Open

Verbum Dei High School will get three new Jesuit teachers, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony announced Tuesday, putting to rest rumors that the college preparatory boys academy was on the verge of closing.

“The Jesuits have committed to assigning at least three experienced educators to Verbum Dei,” Mahony said. “Very possibly, more may come with time.”

In January, rumors surfaced that the 186-student school would be closed, possibly by the end of this school year. School and archdiocese officials denied that such a move was being considered.

Over the years, Verbum Dei developed a reputation for its solid academic program and championship basketball teams. Among the outstanding players to come out of the small school are its current basketball coach, David Greenwood, who played at UCLA and with the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles legend Raymond Lewis, former UCLA standout Roy Hamilton and Utah’s Andre Miller.