Carnegie Corporation of New York has announced grants totaling $10 million to four school districts to help them design and open new high schools that support students in meeting the demands of the Common Core curriculum.

Part of the foundation's multiyear, $28 million Opportunity by Design initiative, the grants include $3 million over three years to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to open two new high schools; $1 million over two years to Denver Public Schools to open one new school and create a model district "ecosystem" that supports new school design; and $3 million over three years to both the New York City Department of Education and the School District of Philadelphia to open two new schools each. All four districts will use their grant funds to tap expertise in their communities and design school models that meet the needs of students while preparing them for college. The districts also will engage in activities designed to support the new schools — the first of which are expected to open in September 2014 — and scale best practices.

The Opportunity by Design initiative is based in part on the foundation's Ten Integrated School Design Principles, which present a comprehensive approach to rethinking what a school should be able to provide each student.

"These districts have the commitment to reshape high schools so that all students can meet more rigorous standards," said Carnegie vice president and director of urban education Michele Cahill. "By taking on the challenge to 'do school differently' they will provide important examples to the country."