Concurrently, the school endured a difficult transition from religious leadership (staffing by the Missionaries of the Society of the Divine Word) to lay leadership and the inherent increased costs of staffing a school with a predominately lay faculty. This transition resulted in a series of short-term principals, which created internal problems, instability, poor public relations, and a decline in enrollment, its performance and its credibility.  Fortunately during these transition years, Verbum Dei received financial help and attention. In 1993 a development Consortium was created and initially funded by he LA Archdiocese’s Education Foundation to raise development monies for Verbum Dei and two Catholic girls high schools in the community. In 1994-1995, with a $4.7 million gift from John and Dorothy Shea and the extended Shea family, improvements—including a new library, cafeteria, multipurpose center, gym, football field, and computer lab—were built nearly doubling the size of Verbum Dei. The Archdiocese also continued its financial support with an annual subsidy of $250,000 and waived and absorbed the debts that Consortium schools incurred. The Consortium raised monies through grants and individual donations from 1993-1998. Unfortunately, the Consortium ended when one of the girls school closed and was consolidated with the other. Although successful, the Consortium was hampered by the continuing administrative and financial difficulties of all three schools.

In the spring of 2000, Cardinal Mahony asked the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order) for help with Verbum Dei High School. The Jesuits agreed to enter into a partnership with the Archdiocese and with the dedicated lay faculty of Verbum Dei. In the fall of 2000, The California Province of the Society of Jesus sent a contingent of six Jesuits to Verbum Dei including one to serve as president.

History of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)