Pukehina School - east of Te Puke - is fighting for survival.
Principal Roger Reid says he needs to at least double his school roll of 10 students - or face closure by the Ministry of Education.
"We can cater for the kids with individual learning programmes. We can spend more time with them. I think we have a culture of care that you just don't get in big schools."
The school sits between two larger schools - Otamarakau with 70 pupils and Pongakawa with up to 300 on its roll.
Mr Reid says his school suffers because it lacks a community of residents.
"I'm lucky that I've got a group of parents who support me and the school as a whole, unfortunately there just isn't enough of them."
He says a few years ago, the school was dealt a blow when it challenged a change in decile rating from 3 to 5.
The Ministry proceeded to change their rating down to just a Decile 1.
Mr Reid will contact local building supplies businesses to see if they can help to renovate the school, and make it appear more polished.
"The school has to look good. It has to look good appearance wise, because to me perception is nine tenths of what people want. If people get out and go that looks good, then they will believe it is good."
Though the school has fallen from 70 students in the last decade, it still has staunch supporters.
"I've been a parent at this school for 20 years now. Four children have gone through here, the fourth is currently here. I just like the small school feel - it gives a family atmosphere," says parent Linda Gorrisen.
Mrs Gorissen says her children have benefited greatly from the one-on-one learning that you experience at the school, rather than being lumped in with 30 other students.
The school was one of the first in the region to implement technology in the classroom.
Mr Reid says he will continue innovating in a bid to keep the school operating.
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