The Primary School, Zuckerberg-Chan Funded Institution, to Close Amidst Funding Shift and Academic Concerns
The Primary School, a private institution co-funded by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, is closing after the couple invested over $125 million. Parents were reportedly caught off guard by the decision. A representative from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative stated that…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 9, 2026 —
The Primary School, a private educational institution with significant backing from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, is set to close its doors. The couple reportedly invested over $125 million into the school. The decision to close has reportedly left parents of the students surprised.
A spokesperson for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative explained that the foundation’s strategic priorities have evolved. The initiative also noted that The Primary School was not designed for perpetual, exclusive funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
The school’s educational philosophy centered on providing comprehensive “whole child” support and integrated wraparound services. However, reports indicate that the institution faced challenges in achieving desired academic outcomes. Priscilla Chan herself is said to have acknowledged that student performance did not meet expected benchmarks.
The approach adopted by The Primary School has drawn criticism, with some suggesting a perceived lack of emphasis on academic achievement. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the school’s engagement with established models of effective education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This comes in the context of previous philanthropic endeavors in the education sector by Zuckerberg and other notable figures, which have reportedly yielded limited success.
Story summarized from the original created by Naomi Schaefer Riley on www.deseret.com, see more information here.