The Primary School, a tuition-free private educational institution co-founded by Priscilla Chan, the wife of Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, is set to close its doors at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. This announcement comes after a decade of operation, during which the school has embraced and promoted values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which have become central to its mission.

Founded alongside educator Meredith Liu, who tragically passed away in 2023, The Primary School opened its first campus in East Palo Alto, California, in 2016. With its commitment to providing quality education, the school has served a broad range of students, from as young as one year old to those in middle school. The decision to close, as stated on the school's website, was reached after considerable deliberation, emphasizing that this was not an easy choice for the institution.

In its announcement, The Primary School expressed its dedication to ensuring a supportive and thoughtful transition for its students and their families over the next year. As part of this transition, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the philanthropic organization established by Chan and Zuckerberg, has pledged to invest $50 million over the next few years to support the communities affected by the closure. This funding will include resources such as 529 education savings plans for students and the hiring of transition specialists to assist families in navigating this change.

Throughout its years of operation, The Primary School has been at the forefront of DEI efforts in education. However, recent developments indicate a shift in focus for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Earlier this year, the organization informed its staff that it would be discontinuing its DEI programs, citing changing regulatory and legal landscapes. This decision mirrors actions taken by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, which also canceled its DEI initiatives for similar reasons.

These moves have raised eyebrows about the Zuckerbergs' strategic positioning, especially in light of their past interactions with political figures such as former President Donald Trump. Zuckerberg's companies have faced criticism and scrutiny during Trump's administration, and the recent decisions may reflect a desire to align more closely with the changing political climate.

The closure of The Primary School serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges facing educational institutions, particularly those that prioritize inclusive practices in a fluctuating legal environment. While the school has played a vital role in the community, the future of its students now pivots on the support and resources provided during this transitional period.

A spokesperson for The Primary School has opted not to comment further beyond the information available on its official website. The school community is now left to process this significant change as it approaches its final school year.

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