Elementary School vs. Middle School vs. High School

[RFayette 🇻🇦]

Half of Elementary School was being bullied mercilessly just for being autistic, no real friends at all until 4th Grade, and the lunchlady was the absolute worst.

I wouldn't say I was "bullied mercilessly" in elementary school, but the rest sounds like my grade school experience, especially the lunch ladies (and recess ladies ) being very cruel.  

Personally, 5th, 9th, and 11th were my three favorite grades, though kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grades were all pretty fun. 

[RFayette 🇻🇦]

High school by far. The value placed on extracurriculars and competition allowed me to shine much more and to contribute in ways that stretched beyond the horrible and insular nerd cultural bubble. I was matured enough by then to not be quite as much of a tempermental weirdo. I also started hanging out with the jocks more and the nerds less, which lead me to start realizing a lot of them were nicer and more genuine people.

So true!  XC for 4 years definitely helped me in this respect.  I always get mad when people bad-mouth jocks as I've had far more positive experiences with them than many "nerds."