Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg opened The Primary School in East Palo Alto in 2016 to support disadvantaged children with free tuition, health care, and counseling.
In April 2025, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative decided to stop funding and close the school after the 2025–2026 year due to lack of financial sustainability.
About 400 students from preschool to eighth grade, mostly children of color from low-income families, will need to find new schools.
Families will receive education savings ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per child and access to transition specialists to help find new placements.
The Ravenswood City School District will face long-term financial pressure despite a $26.5 million grant and CZI’s commitment to cover student costs through 2031.
The closure reflects CZI’s shift away from community and social programs toward science, biology, and AI initiatives.
Dependence on a single wealthy donor poses risks for communities when philanthropic priorities change.
The shutdown underscores the challenges of achieving lasting educational equity without stable, diversified funding.
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