- A pair of tuition-free schools started by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will close at the end of this school year. The Primary School, which operates both locations, did not give a reason for the closure. Mark Zuckerberg has become increasingly close with Donald Trump, who has cracked down on DEI programs in schools and government.
In 2016, the foundation started by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, launched a pair of tuition-free schools—one elementary, one middle—for low-income students.
At the end of the school year, both will close—and the reasons are unclear.
“This was a very difficult decision, and we are committed to ensuring a thoughtful and supportive transition for students and families over the next year,” the Primary School said in a statement on its website.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a nonprofit established by the billionaire couple, said it will invest $50 million over the next five years in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and the East Bay to help families navigate the transition, with a focus on education savings accounts, early childhood programs, and family engagement services.
“We have been deeply humbled by the support of so many during our journey. Our community and partners have made a lasting impact on children and families, and helped us demonstrate what is possible when we think and operate differently,” Jean-Claude Brizard, chair of the Primary School board, said in a statement.
The majority of the school’s 443 students are Latino and receive special education or health services, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
In 2015, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded following the birth of the couple’s first son. At the time, the two pledged to give away 99% of the value of their Facebook stock. In recent months, though, Zuckerberg has grown increasingly close to Donald Trump, who has cracked down on DEI programs in both the government and at several U.S. universities.
The Primary School, meanwhile, has prioritized diversity efforts, even establishing a DEI task force in 2020.