1 week ago
Zuckerberg-Backed Primary School Closes After Decade, $125 Million Investment
The Primary School was a free school in California started by Priscilla Chan.
It also offered services like dental care, wellness coaching, and health screenings.
The school served about 540 children on two campuses.
Its main funder, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, said it would not keep paying after the 2025-26 school year.
Because of this, the school board voted to close the school.
Some students did better academically over time, but overall test results were still below the state average.
Families said the school’s support was very important and that the closure was painful.
Students will move into the local public school district.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is giving money to help families and continue some services.
The Primary School in East Palo Alto will close after the 2025-26 academic year.
Its board voted unanimously to close after the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative declined to extend funding.
The tuition-free school received more than $125 million from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative over its operation.
Academic results were mixed, with literacy proficiency above local results but below the statewide benchmark.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative pledged $50 million and education savings accounts to support the transition.
- Who
- The Primary School, its board, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Priscilla Chan, and about 540 enrolled children.
- What
- The tuition-free school is closing after its main funder declined to continue support beyond the 2025-26 academic year.
- Where
- East Palo Alto, California, across the school's two campuses.
- When
- The board voted unanimously in April 2025; closure is planned after the 2025-26 academic year.
- Why
- The board said it could not continue operating after the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative declined to extend funding.
School Board, Families, and Supporters
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Responsibility for the closure
School Board, Families, and Supporters
Board president Jean-Claude Brizard said the board would not have voted to close without the funder's alignment and said continued support was needed for viable paths forward.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative said the final decision rested with the school's board.
School performance
School Board, Families, and Supporters
School supporters pointed to steady academic gains, improved wellbeing, more than 50% grade-level proficiency among long-enrolled eighth-graders, and strong rates of annual health visits.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative said its focus was academic outcomes rather than cost, while reported literacy results remained below the statewide benchmark.
Long-term funding model
School Board, Families, and Supporters
The school sought to operate near typical public-school spending levels and eventually rely largely on public investment, but attracting outside donors proved difficult.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative said indefinite reliance on one funder was never the intended model and shifted philanthropic priorities toward scientific research.
Key facts
- Founded
- 2016
- Enrollment
- Roughly 540 children
- Total funding
- More than $125 million from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Closure decision
- Board vote in April 2025
- Transition funding
- $50 million pledged by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Education savings accounts
- $3.6 million, including $10,000 per elementary student
- Student transition
- Students are expected to enter the Ravenswood City Elementary School District
Quotes
Priscilla Chan
Co-founder and former board chair of The Primary School
“outcomes weren't where anyone had hoped.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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