@privatebanker: No, no misunderstanding.
That the school’s name is not branded on the award was fully understood.
The point was that glory follows those who do well, and press.
“But it was an eyes-open choice with the recognition that it would result in an overall weaker high school record. Being away quite simply meant that she couldn’t do some of the traditional high school academic things that were available to and expected of the kids who stuck around.”
“Eyes-open choice” is a great way to phrase this choice, without attaching to it any expectation that the school will accommodate the student for opportunities foregone among the school’s offerings.