Paerau School in the Maniototo has only two pupils - the children of the principal - but the community is rallying to keep the school open.
The roll dropped to two this term after a family left the district, and the school's board was exploring all options to boost numbers, chairwoman Erin Elworthy said.
"We've been in discussions with the Ministry [of Education] about where we're at, but historically, our roll has fluctuated.
"Being an isolated country school, this happens from time to time.
"It is a small number, but the school has been there before and come back."
Ministry Southern regional manager Ray Webb said ministry officials met the community last week to discuss options.
The remaining pupils were the children of principal Steve Harley, he said.
The ministry had no policy on schools remaining open because of the ongoing enrolment of the principal's children.
Mrs Elworthy, a teacher who lives in the Styx area, is the mother of a pre-schooler and says there are other pre-schoolers in the area.
The board's focus was on trying to attract more families into the district, she said.
An offer of a year's free accommodation for a family with school-aged children was one of the ideas being promoted.
A family which took advantage of the same offer a year ago, increasing the roll by three, recently shifted away.
"We're looking at some other options, too, and been in discussion with other groups in the community.
"The school is very much the hub of the community and you couldn't ask for a community more supportive of the school. As a board, we're determined to keep the school viable."
The closest school was at Ranfurly, 45 minutes' drive away, Mrs Elworthy said.
"That's a trip you wouldn't want to make every day in winter - and the nearest school bus service is 25 minutes' drive away."
Mr Webb said the viability of a school was determined by factors including the roll, its location, its ability to attract quality staff and education outcomes, he said.
In the past decade, the school roll had peaked at 17 in 2005.
School facilities include a classroom, multipurpose room, library, tennis courts, playground, rugby field, administration space and a school house.
The school was established in 1915.
Mr Harley declined to comment, saying the board was the appropriate group to deal with any inquiries.
