I would keep in mind that there is no way to predict the actual composition of the class from year to year. That is the nature of this kind of placement. The staff, services, and administration, however, are more likely to be at least somewhat stable. My inclination would be to prioritize services over specific peer group in placement decisions.

Grade level decoding at this age is excellent progress, given her history!

...pronounced like the long vowel and first letter of the alphabet...