Rex Mundi High School

Rex Mundi High School is a former Catholic high school in Evansville, Indiana. Famous alumni include Bob Griese. Its name comes from the Latin King of the World. The premises are now used for Ivy Tech.

Rex Mundi was located at 3501 N. First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710. It opened in 1958 in a rapidly expanding area close to what was then the north city limits of Evansville. The Country Club Meadows and Country Club Manor subdivisions opened in the early to mid 1950's in the immediate vicinity of the Rex Mundi site. At the time of the opening of the high school, the Diocese of Evansville maintained a strict policy requiring those registered in Catholic parishes to send their children to Diocesan schools. While it required an entrance exam for admissions (and exempted those who failed from the required attendance in the Catholic High School system), Rex Mundi benefited from the Diocesan attendance policy and soon was full to overflowing.

The effects of World War II had many implications for most of the world. One post-war outcome was the massive worldwide increase of births between 1946 and 1964, known as the Baby Boom. Approximately 76 million boomers were born in the United States, accounting for 29% of the population. The generations immense size brought them economic powers, rises in electronic mass media, and a high level of education. However, obtaining this high level of educational success did not come easily. Despite the positive reflections, this unexpected event inflicted problems on the nation as well. Because of the high fertility rate, more students than ever flooded into schools. Based on elementary school enrollment, there were expected to be 3700 catholic high school students by 1964. Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial were the only Catholic schools for these students to be distributed to. Reitz Memorial was built to hold 500 students and was handling almost twice that many. Mater Dei, built for 600, was almost as crowded. Classrooms became quickly overcrowded as the capacity of students reached its maximum. Bishop Grimmelsman decided that there was no other alternative but to build a new school.

In 1956 the decision was made to open the third catholic high school in Evansville, Rex Mundi. The 15 acres of land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Heerdink. Rex Mundi was constructed by Virgil Miller, who was also responsible for planning other schools within the diocese. Located on First Avenue near Buena Vista, the school is expected to hold 700 to 750 pupils. On opening day, Rex Mundi welcomed 280 students. Of which, about 200 were freshmen, and the remaining were sophomores. Enrollment was expected to reach 800 in several years.

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