Ill bet she gets more creative writng instruction and peers at the academic school. Do both schools have MAP testing?
Worst case senario at the Gifted arts school? If the teachers praise the artistic but less competent writers...I'm not saying this well but I hope you get the picture.

And yes there is plenty of homophobia in some US schools. Of course so much depends on the individual childs inner wealth.
G

Coaching available, at SchoolSuccessSolutions.com