Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is frequently in the spotlight for his work in social media and innovation. However, recently, the sudden closure of a school founded by his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, attracted attention worldwide. This was not a conventional school but a unique education model designed for children from underprivileged families, combining education with healthcare and family support. (Image: Instagram/@zuck)
Dr. Priscilla Chan is a pediatrician and the wife of Mark Zuckerberg. She has spent years working in the fields of children’s health and education in California. In 2016, Chan co-founded The Primary School in East Palo Alto, California. The school provided free education to children from low-income families. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the organisation founded by Zuckerberg and Chan, contributed millions of dollars toward the school’s operations. (Image: Instagram/@priscillachan)
The school followed a model that went beyond traditional classroom learning. Along with teaching regular subjects, it focused on the overall development of children by understanding their learning abilities and individual needs. Students received mental health support, counselling services, and other developmental assistance. Parents were also offered training programmes and guidance. Children received several other free services, including dental care, health checkups, developmental evaluations, and access to specialists when required. Parents were provided with wellness coaching and parenting workshops to help support their children’s growth. (Image: Instagram/@priscillachan)
Despite offering extensive support services, the school struggled with academic performance. Reports showed that student performance in reading and writing was below the California state average. Although the school reported improvements in some areas over time, its overall academic results did not meet expectations. School leaders acknowledged that combining education, healthcare, and family services into one institution was a complex task. The school also faced administrative difficulties, including frequent changes in leadership. Experts noted that creating such an innovative model required significant time, resources, and long-term commitment. (Image: Instagram/@zuck)
In 2025, the school board learned that the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative would not continue funding the school after the 2025–26 academic year. Following this decision, the board decided to shut down the institution. Board President Jean-Claude Brizard said that various possibilities were explored, but closing the school became the final option. CZI explained that its future priorities would focus more heavily on scientific research. The school hoped to secure government funding and support from other donors, but it was unable to raise enough money to continue operations. According to the board, attracting new donors was particularly challenging because the school had initially been supported by one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. (Image: Instagram/@zuck)
