The boards of trustees of Gore High School and Longford Intermediate School have asked the Ministry of Education to start the merging process.
Two years ago the schools starting working together to seek community input on how the schools would cater for the needs of pupils in the future.
The Ministry of Education hired an independent consultant, Dr Gabrielle Wall, to oversee the process.
Workshops were held which discussed three possible options: an intermediate and ayear 9 to 13 secondary school, a year 7 to 13 secondary school, or a year 7 to 10 middle school and a year 11 to 13 senior school.
People could also complete an online survey.
Gore High School and Longford Intermediate board of trustees chairman and chairwoman Brendon Harrex and Leah Wilson said the two boards had met regularly since 2020 to consider the feedback and options to enhance year 7 to 13 education in Gore.
"After extensive discussion and exploration of options, we have mutually agreed to progress the proposal of the merger of both schools.
"The staff and students have been at the centre of our minds as we have discussed this proposal and we believe that if it proceeds, a merger will provide many benefits to both."
It was an exciting opportunity to develop a shared vision for year 7 to 13 pupils, they said.
"We believe that operating as one school will reduce the current transition between year 8 and year 9 and enable staff to collaborate in a way that is not possible when operating as two schools.”
There was a process that needed to be followed and ultimately the Minister of Education would make the decision, they said.
"Any change will likely take effect in 2024."
In the meantime the ministry would undertake more consultation.
"If approved, the merged school will be accommodated on the Gore High School site and provision is being made in our redevelopment planning to provide for this.”
At present a redevelopment of Gore High is being planned.
About 60% of the school’s buildings will be demolished to make way for modern learning spaces.
It was hoped the demolition would start in 2023 and the project would be finished in 2025.
It was likely the merged school would operate from two sites, until the redevelopment project is completed on the Gore High site.
