Parents at two Saint John-area schools will split their time next week between court, and the first day of school.

On Tuesday, the province will appeal a ruling, overturning its decision to close Lorne Middle and Browns Flat Elementary.

A judge will hear arguments on Friday, that both schools should be open this fall.

It all has parents at other schools mobilizing in preparations for their own fights.

Supporters of the now closed Coles Island School say parents at Lorne Middle and Browns Flat Elementary have given them new hope.

“Got in touch with Kelly Lamrock first thing Sunday morning,” says parent Shannon Stevens.

Parents are going forward with legal action to re-open the kindergarten-to-grade five school.

“We feel that it’s worth fighting for,” says resident Steve McCready,”until it’s the final legal decision that it will be closed.”

Their fight, just beginning as the ultimate fate of Lorne Middle and Browns Flat Elementary continues to playout in court.

With legal challenges mounting, the official opposition wants all future school closing studies to be put on hold.

“The 409 policy is flawed and the courts are agreeing with us now,” says New Brunswick MLA Ross Wetmore.

Policy 409 identifies criteria that would trigger a so called sustainability study on schools at risk of closing.

Those triggers include any school having an enrollment of 100 students or less, or any school at 30 per cent occupancy or less.

With about 60 students between kindergarten and grade two, Burton Elementary school has been put on watch.

“Let’s not throw Burton and a number of other schools in that mix,” adds Wetmore. “Let’s put this on hold and get this done and get it done properly.”

Education Minister Serge Rouselle was not giving interviews on Thursday.

Community groups in Burton have been meeting throughout the summer in anticipation of their battle to come, to save their school.

“We’ve been here since 2011,” says parent Louise Bulmer. “Since then, every single year the school has been up for debate to close down.”

It’s a debate hitting a fever pitch, with about 40 schools across the province up for review this school year.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.