Zuckerberg's Tuition-Free School Set to Close in 2026

The Primary School, a tuition-free private institution in East Palo Alto, California, co-founded by Priscilla Chan and funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), will close at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year. The school, opened in 2016 to serve low-income and predominantly Latino communities, cited a withdrawal of CZI funding as a key factor in its closure, although official statements have provided few details about the decision. The closure reflects a broader shift by CZI and Meta away from social advocacy and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, with a renewed focus on scientific research. CZI has pledged $50 million over five years to support affected communities, but some parents and staff express concerns that this aid may not be sufficient for the transition. Staff are expected to remain employed until the school's closure, aiming to provide stability for families during this period. The decision is part of a larger trend among tech philanthropists reevaluating or shifting their education-focused initiatives.