The southern Alberta school used as the backdrop for the first Superman movie closes its doors to students for the last time Wednesday.

The Barons school, 50 kilometres northwest of Lethbridge, was turned into Smallville school for a young Clark Kent during filming of the movie in 1977.

School principal Kim Goslin says the Superman theme has stayed with the school, and the movie became a must see for staff and students every year.

"Every student has been exposed to the movie and we stop it when the school's in those frames," said Goslin. "I've spoken across the country and people have come up to me and said, 'The Barons school, that's the one in the movie, right?'"

There are only 24 students in grades one to six this year which is not enough to keep the 84-year-old school open.

Next year, the children will be bused 10 minutes down the road to the school in Nobleford.