Altria donates $1 million to VCU School of Education

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education has received a $1 million gift from Altria, the Richmond-based parent company of Philip Morris.

The donation will primarily support the School of Education’s Center for School Improvement which partners with improve student achievement and school accountability at local schools.

“This gift comes at a critical time when school divisions are facing severe budget cuts,” said VCU School of Education Dean Beverly J. Warren in a press release. “It will allow us to expand our services to them.”

Another program supported by the gift is a joint partnership between VCU and the University of Richmond called Edulead that seeks to build effective leadership academically challenged area schools.