Microsoft school.

• Author: Arenson, Karen W.
• Position: Education

Billionaire Bill Gates wants high school to pay off. His foundation is putting up more than $40 million to help start 70 high schools that will try to keep disadvantaged students from dropping out.

The Gates schools will offer college-level work to keep the students engaged. They'll be able to earn two-year associate degrees while getting high school diplomas. The schools are intended to be small, with no more than 400 students each, but...