​Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg's Tuition-Free School to Close After a Decade

​Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg's Tuition-Free School to Close After a Decade​

The Primary School, a tuition-free private institution in East Palo Alto, California, co-founded by Priscilla Chan and funded through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), is set to close at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year according to CNN.  Established in 2016, the school aimed to integrate education with healthcare and family support services, serving children from infancy through middle school, primarily from low-income and Latino communities. ​

The closure has raised concerns among parents and staff, particularly regarding the adequacy of the financial aid being offered to assist families in transitioning to new educational settings. While CZI has pledged a $50 million investment over five years to support affected communities, including East Palo Alto and the East Bay, some parents feel the support falls short of what is needed. ​

Related: Priscilla Chan: The Woman Behind the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Related: Mark Zuckerberg Buys $23M DC Mansion Ahead of Key Meta Trial

The decision to shut down the school aligns with a broader shift in focus by both Meta and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, moving away from social advocacy and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This pivot has been noted in the context of changing political landscapes and regulatory environments. ​

Despite the school's impending closure, staff members are expected to remain employed until the end of the 2025–2026 school year, ensuring a degree of stability during the transition period