The Times of India (Chennai) ·
Why Mark Zuckerberg's wife's school was shut down despite $125 million in donations,
’s wife Priscilla Chan co-founded the Primary School in East Palo Alto, California in 2016 with the backing of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). The school was designed to serve low-income families, the tuition fee private school aimed to support the “whole child” through wraparound services such as dental checkups, wellness coaching, and early‑intervention screenings. Over ten years, CZI poured more than $125 million into the project, making it one of the most ambitious philanthropic education ventures in Silicon Valley. However, despite the strong support services and community engagement, academic performance often fell short of state norms, complicating efforts to replicate the model in public and charter schools. A report by Wall Street Journal revealed that despite all these efforts the school shut its doors in June this year after a decade of operation.
Why the Board voted to close the school founded by Priscilla Chan
In April 2025, the school’s board voted unanimously to shut down after learning CZI (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) would not continue funding beyond the 2025‑26 academic year. Board president Jean‑Claude Brizard said the decision was made in alignment with its largest funder. A CZI spokesperson emphasized that the closure was the board’s choice and that the organization’s focus had shifted toward scientific research.
