By 1971, Rex Mundi became a victim of falling enrollment and pressing finances. Enrollment in the Catholic high schools fell dramatically from 2,530 students in 1967 to only 1,900 in 1971. With the extreme decline of incoming students, the need for three Catholic schools was not necessary. Ultimately, the only option was to shut down one of the Catholic high schools. Reitz Memorial was quickly taken out of the equation because it was the founding school and centrally located. The decision process of whether to close Rex Mundi or Mater Dei was contemplated for three months before a conclusion was finally made.