A letter from Chicago talk show host Oprah Winfrey seemed like the world's best Christmas present until teacher Ron Clark noticed an extra piece of paper flutter out of the envelope.

That's when the Atlanta educator saw the $365,000 check for the innovative private school he opened in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods. It was an answer to a prayer.

Clark finds private donors to pay most of the $14,000 annual tuition for each student. He describes their efforts by saying they "teach school all day and fund raise at night."

Clark surprised his students with the news this morning in a gathering at the school.

The children, parents and teachers erupted in deafening cheers when he showed off the check, which was issued by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.

Her representatives haven't returned calls seeking comment.