Schools Closing for Communities of Color Instituted by Zuckerberg Amidst Trump's Strict DEI Enforcement
Years ago, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan opened The Primary School, a groundbreaking institution offering tuition-free education, healthcare, and social services to low-income families and communities of color. However, announcing a departure from their initial commitment, The Primary School revealed plans to shutter its doors at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year—apparently due to financial woes.
As The Primary School stands on the brink of closure, it's impossible not to scrutinize the swift change in the wind. The school's founding was a bold move to address the daunting challenges faced by low-income families, who often lack access to well-funded education options. In its mission statement, the school acknowledged the impact of systemic racism, stating, "Communities of color are disproportionately affected by these challenges and can't afford or access adequate services." A diverse team with backgrounds in education, healthcare, and family support was assembled to extend resources to underserved communities.
Fast forward to the present, and the climate has taken a dramatic turn—one that bears striking similarities to the Trump administration's stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). With Zuckerberg currying favor with the President and his cronies to further his personal objectives, it's no wonder that The Primary School, once a beacon of inclusivity and diversity, would follow suit.
In lighter shades, Zuckerberg declared Meta would be dismantling its DEI programs earlier this year. The tide of change swept over the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, funding arm of the Zuckerberg empire, which removed references to inclusivity and economic fairness from its website and disbanded its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility team. Thus, the narrative shift from The Primary School was not a surprising twist.
For families who have come to rely on The Primary School's support, the closure is a crushing blow. The school's holistic approach to education and care extended well beyond the classroom, making a tangible difference in their lives. Veronica Van Leeuwaarde, a mother of two students, shared her heart-wrenching story with the San Francisco Standard. The school played a crucial role in securing her son a much-needed diagnosis of ADHD, a journey that would have been far more daunting without the school's steadfast assistance.
The school has pledged $1,000 to $10,000 to help families transition their children to other schools, but this estimation falls short of the mark. The average tuition for a private elementary school in Palo Alto is around $35,000, with a statewide average cost of $16,500[3], making it an uphill battle for many low-income families to find suitable alternatives.
The Financial Times reported a steep drop in contributions to The Primary School, from approximately $8 million in 2022 to just over $3.7 million in 2023[1]. With annual expenses of $12.4 million[2], the school struggled to maintain financial stability. One might question the decision to close a project backed by Zuckerberg, who boasts a net worth nearing $200 billion[4] and vowed to give away 99% of his wealth. It appears that a pressing need for financial assistance is far from a concern for the mega-rich.
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/1c8b582c-2bd6-49b8-b2ee-755244d61d61[2] https://primaryschool.org/ourschool/resources/[3] https://www.privateschoolreview.com/cost-average-private-elementary-school-by-state[4] https://www.forbes.com/profile/mark-zuckerberg/
- The closure of The Primary School, a tech-forward institution with a mission to help low-income families and communities of color, brings into question the commitment of tech giants like Facebook (now Meta) to education-and-self-development and inclusion.
- As The Primary School grapples with financial woes, the abrupt shift in its focus and the apparent lack of support from its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, raises suspicions about the tech world's role in politics and the future of general-news narratives.
- With the seemingly inevitable shuttering of The Primary School, the future of comprehensive education, healthcare, and social services for disadvantaged communities remains uncertain, underscoring the dire need for sustainable funding and political support in these critical sectors.
