Lock Server to all but a certain status level?
 

I am trying to do a "closed beta" where I have to grant certain accounts a status level to be able to log into the server while it's locked -- is this possible?

By default, if you set your world to start up locked (or type #lock) it will lock out those below 80.

Is there a way to make that a lower value? Or would it be a matter of setting all the commands I don't want to give access to players, to a value higher than 80?

I have never seen a rule for it, but if there is a rule for locked access level then set that other wise, go the second route. Move the commands to be higher than 80.