Why should a school end in eighth grade? Why does being a “top dog” in middle school matter?

In Episode 8 of The Satellite, we examine what it means to conclude a student’s formative years in a space where they are leaders, role models, and fully known. We’re joined by Dr. Michah Rothbart, Associate Professor at Syracuse University and co-author of the American Educational Research Journal publication Do Top Dogs Rule in Middle School?; Connie Coker, Head of School; Gabbi Paucek, Director of High School Placement; alumna Jessica White ’20 and current Syracuse University student; and current Eighth Grade student Bennett R. to reflect on the powerful experiences that define the St. Anne’s School educational journey culminating in a final, opportunity-rich Eighth Grade year.

This conversation is grounded in emerging research from Amy Ellen Schwartz, Leanna Stiefel, and Michah W. Rothbart, whose study Do Top Dogs Rule in Middle School? reveals how K–8 grade structures increase students' sense of safety, belonging, and academic confidence. Layered with the progressive, research-backed approach to education that defines St. Anne’s School—where academic rigor is interwoven with social-emotional learning and purpose-driven curriculum—we explore how being a “top dog” prepares students not just for high school, but for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and empathy.