Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan's tuition-free Primary School, established under the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) in California's Bay Area, will close by the end of the 2025-26 school year. Despite its innovative integration of healthcare and education for low-income families, the school announced its closure, attributing it to CZI's withdrawal of support. This decision occurs amidst broader shifts within CZI and Meta, including a strategic pivot away from social advocacy and DEI efforts, which has affected community dynamics in the tech-influenced region. The Primary School, a model for addressing children's 'toxic stress' through family support systems, leaves a significant gap in services for underrepresented minorities it served. The CZI plans a $50 million donation to aid affected families, while school staff are committed to providing a strong final year for current students despite the impending closure.

In 2016, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan launched the Primary School, a tuition-free institution offering integrated healthcare and education services to low-income families in California's Bay Area, supported by their Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).

The school announced it would close by the end of the 2025-26 school year, citing the CZI's decision to withdraw financial support, a move that left parents and the community seeking clarity on future educational options.

CZI's strategic shift includes reducing its focus on social advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, aligning with broader changes at Meta, which have included Trump-friendly policies and reduced emphasis on social justice initiatives.

The Primary School was a pioneering effort in addressing 'toxic stress' in children through a model that supported entire families, pairing students with 'parent wellness coaches' to foster resilience and holistic well-being.

The school's closure is seen as a significant loss for the community, especially given the school's role in supporting underrepresented minorities and its innovative approach, which had gained recognition at events like the SXSW conference.

CZI plans to mitigate the impact of the closure with a $50 million donation to the affected families and communities, as staff at the Primary School focus on ensuring a productive and positive final year for their students.

The closure reflects ongoing tensions in the Bay Area, where tech industry growth has exacerbated housing shortages and economic disparities, leading to mixed feelings about the influence of tech giants like Meta on local communities.