Kawerau Intermediate School in the Eastern Bay of Plenty has lodged an application for a High Court judicial review to try and save the school from closure.
Education Minister Hekia Parata wants to close the school and nearby Kawerau College from the end of this year.
A new year seven to 13 secondary school in the town will then be opened on the existing college site.
The principal of the intermediate says the judicial review is the final chance the community has to save the school.
Daryl Aim says the school believes the process to close the school was unfair, unjust and biased towards the outcome the minister wanted.
Mr Aim says the ministry never considered the view of the school community or any other options apart from what was decided before the consultation process began.
He says the school is feeling confident of success.
