I went to a K-12 school. None of my classmates were soulmates, but they do hold a special place in my life and memories. I deeply appreciated the opportunity to participate in a community of mixed ability people, to know them from 5years until 45 years has been enlightening, as has given me an appreciation for how a cross-section of America lives, not just the people who go to college etc. I have tried to put DS in a similar situation, and, like me, he seems to really like having the same classmates year after year, even though they aren't much like him.
That being said, if he were miserable, if these kids made his life miserable, if he didn't have friends, then I think leaving him there would defeat the purpose of the lesson I am trying to give him, which is how to get along in a community. If he is just a miserable outsider to the community, then, it seems like I am actually teaching him the opposite of what I wanted to.
