Zuckerberg-backed school for low-income kids to close in 2026

Mark Zuckerberg‘s Chan Zuckerberg Initiative-backed elementary school serving low-income students is shutting down in 2026, highlighting the complex relationship between tech philanthropy and educational sustainability. The closure of The Primary School in East Palo Alto, which serves predominantly Latino children needing specialized educational support, comes amid CZI’s strategic pivot toward science research at the intersection of biology and AI, raising questions about the long-term commitments of tech-driven educational philanthropy.

The big picture: A tuition-free elementary school funded by Mark Zuckerberg’s nonprofit will close in summer 2026, affecting approximately 550 predominantly Latino students across its East Palo Alto and San Francisco locations.

• The Primary School, established in 2016 in the relatively low-income East Palo Alto community, has been operating with financial backing from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
• The school primarily serves children who require specialized educational support, providing resources to communities with fewer educational advantages than neighboring affluent Silicon Valley areas.

Key details: The official announcement did not specify reasons for the closure, though there are reports that students were told CZI was withdrawing funding.

• According to The New York Times, some children reportedly told their parents that “the guy who’s been giving money to our school doesn’t want to give it to us anymore.”
• The board chairman Jean-Claude Brizard explicitly stated that the decision was “not part of a DEI retrenchment by Mr. Zuckerberg,” addressing speculation about potential motivations.

Behind the numbers: The closure coincides with CZI’s announced strategic shift earlier this year to focus more intensely on scientific research, particularly at the intersection of biology and AI.

• In February 2025, CZI eliminated its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, mirroring similar moves at Zuckerberg’s Meta.
• Despite the school closure, CZI has pledged a $50 million investment in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and East Bay communities over the coming years.

What they’re saying: School officials acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision while committing to supporting families through the transition.

• “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 school’s official announcement stated.

Implications: The closure highlights questions about the sustainability of tech philanthropy in education when strategic priorities shift.

• The East Palo Alto community will lose an educational resource specifically designed to serve children with specialized needs in an area with fewer resources than its Silicon Valley neighbors.
• This case illustrates how dependent philanthropy-backed educational initiatives can be on the continued interest and support of their wealthy benefactors.