A method is provided in one embodiment and includes receiving a first message including an indication that a first access point of a first network is a gateway access point of a first network, receiving a second message including an indication that a second access point of the first network is an inner access point of the first network, and receiving an indication of a number of wireless devices registered with at least one of the first access point and the second access point. The method further includes determining a power mode for the second access point based upon whether at least one wireless device is registered with the first access point or the second access point, and sending a power mode command message to the second access point indicative of the determined power mode.