The Ron Clark Academy announced the donation last Thursday. The innovative school has struggled to raise money this year amid the sagging economy to pay for its US$2.8 million operating budget, which is bankrolled

almost entirely by donors.

The school in one of the city's poorest neighbourhoods is hoping to expand its campus by building a cafeteria, gymnasium and theatre.

Winfrey, who has had school founder Ron Clark on her show twice, donated US$365,000 to the school last December. Clark wrote the best-selling teaching book The Essential 55.