The national body with responsibility for assessing the viability of remote rural schools has begun preparing a consultation report on Carsphairn Primary.
The move by Education Scotland follows a visit by an inspector to gather evidence from parents and supporters battling to have the school reopened.
Dumfries and Galloway Council mothballed Carsphairn and its associated nursery in 2019 and is now consulting on closing it for good.
Campaigners claim enough children live within the catchment to justify the school reopening which they regard as integral to the future of the village.
The council insists that reinstating it cannot be supported financially and that low pupil numbers could impact children’s education.
Carsphairn parents Emily and Tom Wall moved to the village from Lancashire in April determined to save the school.
The couple have two young girls who they say would attend Carsphairn were it to reopen.
Mrs Wall described the mood locally as “positive” following the inspector’s fact finding mission.
She told the News: “She visited Carsphairn School and Dalry School to gain a view on the feelings towards the school reopening or closing.
“She was given a transcript of the public meetings and relevant letters and emails from community members.
“The overall feeling within the community is positive.
“Everyone feels that there is a considerable amount of support and that we have all done what we can to show that the school is absolutely worth reopening.
“We only want that so the children of the Carsphairn catchment area can enjoy a good education here again.”
Education Scotland is due to publish its consultation report on Thursday, January 19.
A further period to allow final representations from the public will then run until Friday, February 10.
An Education Scotland spokesperson said: “HM Inspectors have a statutory duty under the Schools (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 to produce an impartial and independent report on any council’s proposals to make change to its school estate.
“When considering a proposal HM Inspectors undertake a number of activities.
“They meet with parents, staff, children and young people.
“They consider any submissions made to the council during the consultation.
“They also consider any written representations made directly to Education Scotland.
“When a council publishes its final consultation report, it must include the report from HM Inspectors.
“HM Inspectors visited Dumfries and Galloway recently in relation to several school consultation proposals.”
A public meeting on saving the school was held in Carsphairn’s Lagwyne Hall in October.
It was attended by more than 40 people out of a local population of around 115.
