Oakdale and Pontllanfraith comprehensive schools are set to close and could be replaced by a new school by 2016.
At a full council meeting on Tuesday July 23, councillors voted to move the proposals to the consultation stage.
The plan to close the two schools will help reduce the amount of surplus places in the area from 22.1% to 16.9%. The catchment area for Blackwood Comprehensive School will also be redrawn.
Speaking to councillors at the July 23 meeting, the council’s deputy leader Gerald Jones said: “It is a thorny issue but one that has to be tackled in the interests of all pupils.
“The proposals are exciting and will allow us to move forward into 21st Century education.
The planned new school, to be built on a site in Oakdale, is estimated to cost £18 million with half the money coming from Welsh Government.
What would the proximity of the proposed school be to the wind turbines currently under construction in Oakdale?