Kansas City's Lavish Classical Greek Magnet Draws Suburban Students and Raises Eyebrows

By Debra Viadero

KANSAS CITY, MO.--The ancient Greeks never had it as good as Steven Griffin, a junior at Central High School here. A student at the nation's first "classical Greek" magnet school, Mr. Griffin can choose between learning tae kwon do or tennis. In the school's Olympic-sized pool, he can take up scuba diving and kayaking.

He will study classical Greek art and architecture and learn the art of debate. And, when he becomes a senior, he will be required to participate in a Greek drama production in...