Science Daily – Staff Writer
“Findings from new research published suggest that longer grade spans that allow middle grade students to serve as relative “top dogs” — students in the highest grades — improve academic achievement and enhance their learning environment, including fewer instances of bullying and fights. Attending a K-8 school as opposed to a 6-8 school, for example, would benefit sixth graders because they would no longer be “new dogs” in the school, would benefit seventh graders because they would hold a higher relative position than had they attended a 6-8 school, and would benefit eighth graders because they would hold top status over a larger number of grades.”(more)