Supporters of a Norwood school that has graduated some notable alumni are ramping up efforts to save it from closing down.

Parents, students and faculty from M.S. 80 argued before the Department of Education (DOE) Monday night against a proposal to change the school's name and replace at least 50 percent of teachers in the upcoming year.

The overhaul is part of a "turnaround" procedure to make the school eligible for nearly $2 million in federal grants, but opponents say the changes are an insult to city teachers.

Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren are among the junior high school's graduates, but in recent years the institution has slipped and the attendance rate has dropped into the bottom 11 percent of city middle schools.