Zuckerberg's Education Experiment: The Rise and Fall of The Primary School

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the philanthropic arm of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, is set to close its flagship school, The Primary School, in East Palo Alto and San Leandro, California, by June 2026. The decision, announced in 2024, marks a pivotal shift in CZI’s strategy, transitioning from direct school operations to community-focused funding. Over 400 students—many from underserved Latino and Pacific Islander families—will now move to the Ravenswood City School District, while CZI pledges $50 million in support. The closure raises critical questions about the role of tech wealth in public education and the sustainability of hybrid healthcare-education models.

The Closure: A Strategic Retreat or a Failed Experiment?

Founded in 2016, The Primary School aimed to address systemic inequities by merging education, healthcare, and family services. Its closure, however, was framed as a “difficult but necessary” move in a blog post by CZI. While no explicit reasons were given, the $50 million transition fund and education savings plans for displaced students ($10,000 per elementary student, $2,500 for preschoolers) suggest a pivot toward indirect investment rather than direct school management.

The Ravenswood School District, which will absorb the student body, faces logistical challenges. Over 58% of The Primary School’s students require specialized support services, including individualized education programs (IEPs). Ravenswood Superintendent Gina Sudaria emphasized collaboration but acknowledged the need to “integrate the most successful elements of [the school’s] model,” such as health programming and parent engagement.

The Financial Implications: A $50 Million Gamble

CZI’s $50 million pledge over five years includes not only student savings plans but also investments in East Palo Alto’s early childhood programs and healthcare access. This mirrors broader trends in tech philanthropy, where billionaires like Zuckerberg increasingly fund community programs rather than traditional nonprofits. However, critics argue that such investments lack accountability. For example, CZI’s prior $120 million pledge to a public school district in San Francisco drew scrutiny for vague outcomes.

The transition also highlights CZI’s alignment with anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives and its support for former President Trump—a stance that has alienated some education advocates. Meanwhile, the Ravenswood District, while better funded than neighboring schools, faces staffing shortages, raising concerns about whether it can adequately support students with special needs.

Broader Trends: Tech Wealth and Public Education

The closure reflects a growing tension between private philanthropy and public systems. While CZI’s financial commitment is substantial, it pales compared to the $13 billion California spends annually on K-12 education. Critics argue that tech-funded schools like The Primary School divert attention from systemic underfunding of public schools.

Meanwhile, the real estate angle looms large. The East Palo Alto campus, leased from Ravenswood, sits in a rapidly gentrifying area. Anonymous commenters speculated that the closure might free up land for high-rise housing—a theory CZI has not addressed.

Conclusion: A Shift in Philanthropy, but at What Cost?

The closure of The Primary School underscores CZI’s evolving strategy: moving from direct school management to funding community programs. The $50 million transition fund and savings plans provide immediate relief, but long-term success hinges on Ravenswood’s capacity to replicate the school’s health and family engagement models.

Key data points reinforce the stakes:
- Student Demographics: 61% Latino and 58% requiring specialized services highlight the school’s focus on vulnerable populations.
- Funding Scale: CZI’s $50 million pledge, while significant, is dwarfed by public education budgets, raising questions about equity.
- Tech Philanthropy Trends: CZI’s pivot mirrors broader shifts, as tech wealth increasingly funds niche programs rather than systemic reforms.

For investors, the closure signals a cautionary tale. While CZI’s financial muscle can drive short-term projects, sustaining educational equity requires sustained public investment and collaboration—not just private capital. As Ravenswood absorbs displaced students, the real test will be whether CZI’s money translates into lasting change or becomes another chapter in Silicon Valley’s uneven legacy of social impact.

In the end, the fate of The Primary School may serve as a case study for how—and whether—tech-driven philanthropy can truly transform education.