The Randolph J. & Estelle M. Dorn Foundation in Sandusky, Ohio, has awarded $1 million to the Sandusky school district in support of two "next level" initiatives designed to transform the city's schools, the Morning Journal reports.

Sandusky City Schools will use half the grant to fund its Regional Center for Advanced Academic Studies, an academy for advanced students in grades four to six. Scheduled to open later this month, the new school aims to help gifted students reach their full academic potential while fostering collaboration among students, families, staff, and the community. The gift also will establish the Dorn Fellowship Series, which will invite faculty members from regional colleges to the school and provide students with collegiate experiences at Dorn Fellows' institutions.

The remaining $500,000 will support the district's initiative to restructure early childhood education. The Dorn Foundation also has pledged $25,000 to support communications about the district's teacher recruitment and retention efforts.

"We believe in the Sandusky City Schools and look forward to positive results with its Regional Gifted Center and its preschool efforts," Dorn Foundation board president Mel Stauffer told the Morning Journal. "We also believe that these two efforts represent key elements in transforming and reforming Sandusky schools to meet the needs of the twenty-first century global economy."