The closure of The Primary School, a tuition-free private school co-founded by Dr. Priscilla Chan, marks the end of one of the most ambitious education initiatives backed by Silicon Valley philanthropy. After receiving more than $125 million in funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the school officially closed in June 2026, leaving hundreds of families searching for new educational opportunities.
The decision has reignited debate across the United States about whether large-scale private philanthropy can create lasting change in public education—and what happens when a project depends heavily on a single financial backer. While supporters point to meaningful health and community outcomes, critics argue the closure exposes the fragility of privately funded education models despite enormous investment.
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The vision behind The Primary School in East Palo Alto
The Primary School opened in 2016 in East Palo Alto, California, a lower-income community situated near some of the world’s wealthiest technology companies but largely excluded from Silicon Valley’s economic boom.
Founded by Dr. Priscilla Chan, a pediatrician, alongside educator Meredith Liu (who died in 2023), the school was built around a “whole child” philosophy that sought to combine education with health care and family support under one roof.
Rather than focusing solely on academics, the school integrated:
- Free dental checkups
- Early-intervention screenings
- Wellness coaching for parents
- Health care access
- Social support services
The model specifically targeted children from low-income families, many experiencing poverty, trauma, behavioral challenges, or learning disabilities. Staff partnered with community clinics to enroll students with high levels of need.
The student population reflected the surrounding community:
- About three in four students spoke a language other than English at home.
- Nearly 90% identified as children of color, primarily Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, or multiracial.
Beginning with preschool, the school gradually expanded through eighth grade, later opening a second campus in San Leandro. At its peak, both campuses served roughly 540 students, although earlier reports placed enrollment between 400 and 550 students.
Dr. Chan remained deeply involved during the school’s early years, serving as co-founder and board chair until around 2023, regularly visiting classrooms, reading to students, and participating in initiatives including a curriculum partnership with Sesame Workshop.
Some of the school’s experimental practices also drew attention. Teachers signed nondisclosure agreements, while some early research efforts included recording devices for toddlers to study language interactions at home. Even with these innovations, per-pupil spending was intentionally maintained at levels considered sustainable for eventual public-school adoption. The long-term goal was never permanent private funding but a model capable of transitioning primarily to public investment.
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How a decade-long experiment came to an unexpected end
| Year | Event |
| 2016 | The Primary School opens in East Palo Alto. |
| 2023 | Co-founder Meredith Liu passes away. |
| Spring 2025 | Stanford evaluation reports mixed academic outcomes. |
| April 2025 | Board unanimously votes to close after learning CZI funding will end. |
| 2025–26 School Year | Families receive transition support while teachers remain through the final year. |
| June 2026 | School officially closes following the graduation of its final eighth-grade class. |
The closure process began after the school’s board unanimously voted in April 2025 to shut down operations once it learned that CZI would not continue funding beyond the 2025–26 academic year.
Board president Jean-Claude Brizard, former head of Chicago Public Schools, explained that multiple possibilities—including winding down operations—had been discussed with CZI. He said the board would not have voted to close without alignment from its primary financial supporter.
A CZI spokesperson maintained that the decision rested with the school’s board and emphasized that the issue centered on academic outcomes rather than financial cost.
Dr. Chan also acknowledged disappointment with performance, saying the results were not where “frankly, anyone would have wanted them to be.”
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Strong health outcomes couldn’t fully offset academic challenges
The school’s academic performance produced mixed conclusions.
According to a Stanford University report for spring 2025:
- 26% of Primary School students in third grade and above exceeded literacy standards.
- Comparable local schools recorded 14%.
- The California statewide figure stood at 47%.
The school’s own data showed that more than half of its eighth-grade students reached grade-level proficiency during their final year, reflecting improvement among students who had spent nearly a decade in the program.
Health outcomes proved significantly stronger.
Approximately 85% of students completed annual well-child visits, compared with 55% of Medicaid children countywide.
Supporters also cited continued post-pandemic academic improvement alongside gains in socio-emotional development and student well-being.
Still, the school faced persistent operational challenges, including high principal turnover, evolving special education and discipline systems, and the complexity of launching multiple interconnected programs simultaneously. Former staff members noted that innovative schools often require many years before their educational models fully stabilize.
Finding replacement donors also proved difficult.
As Jean-Claude Brizard observed, prospective funders questioned why they should financially support a project already associated with one of the world’s wealthiest couples. CZI had never intended to remain the school’s sole long-term financial supporter.
Around early 2025, staff were informed that CZI’s priorities were shifting away from social advocacy toward science philanthropy, including biomedical research and artificial intelligence, reflecting both evolving organizational priorities and the broader legal and policy environment.
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What’s next for students, families, and the surrounding community?
The announcement deeply affected families, many of whom learned about the closure during spring 2025, either through a breakfast meeting or news reports.
One parent whose daughter belonged to the founding class—and who later enrolled four younger children—described the school as “a godsend” and said losing it was “crushing.”
Another parent said earlier communication about ending community investment would have been preferable.
School leaders spent the final academic year helping families transition by arranging school tours, assisting with applications, and establishing education savings accounts. Every teacher returned for the school’s final year, ensuring continuity for students before the last eighth-grade class graduated in June 2026.
CZI also announced substantial transition support, including:
- $50 million over five years for East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and East Bay communities.
- Parent engagement initiatives.
- Early childhood education programs.
- Continued health services.
- Payment of the remaining school lease.
- $3.6 million in education savings accounts, providing $10,000 for elementary students, $2,500 for preschoolers, and $1,000 for early-childhood education participants.
Meanwhile, the Ravenswood City Elementary School District prepared for increased enrollment by renovating facilities to accommodate displaced students.
The closure ultimately ends one of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s most visible education projects, highlighting both the promise and the limitations of privately funded school reform. It also serves as a reminder that even substantial philanthropic investment may struggle to deliver rapid, scalable academic transformation when confronting deeply rooted social and educational challenges.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on thorough research and verified reporting from the following sources: The Wall Street Journal (Laura J. Nelson, primary detailed account published in early August 2026), The New York Times (April 2025 coverage), The Washington Post (June 2025), Times of India summaries based on WSJ reporting, and contemporary reporting from CNN, San Francisco Chronicle, and related outlets confirming enrollment figures, funding decisions, community impact, and transition details.
Sources
- The Wall Street Journal (primary detailed report by Laura J. Nelson)
- The New York Times (April 2025 announcement coverage)
- The Washington Post (June 2025)
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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