Leaving Las Vegas Schools

In the beginning, there were plenty of doubters. Teachers outside the program griped about its small classes, wondering why everyone didn't get the same treatment.

By Sean Cavanagh

Las Vegas

In this land of symphonic water shows and beaming neon, where an Egyptian pyramid offers craps and Elvis performs weddings, an unlikely collection of locals is staging one of the wildest shows in town.

It kicks off shortly after sunup, when not a showgirl stirs, and the luckless are still sleeping off last night's losses. Miles from the glitter of the Strip, but close enough to feel its pull, a program at Las Vegas High School is encouraging students to weather their surreal surroundings and stick around through graduation, while preparing them for life after it.

Thinking beyond the here-and-now is a tough sell in this city, for high rollers...