i read a lot of these types of books as a kid and they generally go somewhat like this:
protagonist leads a miserable life either as an orphan, in an abusive household, or both. one day, however, protagonist suddenly is revealed to be Super Special and they have to leave their home to go to The Magic School. at magic school they are an outsider and are probably resented for their Super Special Status, however they gradually manage to make friends with the other magic school outcasts and also solve the plot
these are coming of age stories, centered on young protagonists who have faced a lot of adversity. there are often themes of generational trauma, elders being fallible, and learning responsibility. the central power fantasy revolves around being so Super Special no one can hurt you anymore
TGE plays with all of these, and in particular refuses to let all the trauma just be backstory, and drags it into the main narrative focus. it's a more grounded and adult take on the tropes of the genre, but very much in conversation with it even though it's lacking almost all of the set dressing