End of an Era: Zuckerberg’s Tuition-Free School for Communities of Color to Close Amid Funding Cuts and DEI Rollbacks
In a surprising move that has left many questioning the future of philanthropic education initiatives, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have announced the closure of The Primary School, a tuition-free institution they co-founded nearly a decade ago. The school, located in East Palo Alto, California, was established with the mission to serve underprivileged communities of color, integrating education with healthcare and social services. The decision to shut down the school at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year has raised eyebrows, especially given the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's vast financial resources. The Primary School was designed to address systemic inequities by providing comprehensive support to children and their families. It offered a range of services, including medical and dental care, mental health support, and individualized education programs, all aimed at fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment. The school primarily served Latino stud...