Mark Zuckerberg opens unauthorized school on his property, sparking outrage from neighbors

It has been revealed that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously ran a private school on his property, but the school did not receive city permission and was subject to complaints from neighbors.

Zuckerberg's Illegal School Shuts Down After Neighbor Revolt | The Tech Buzz

According to documents obtained by foreign media, Zuckerberg opened an unlicensed private school in Palo Alto, California, where Meta is headquartered, but later closed it due to opposition from local residents and guidance from city authorities.

The school, named the Bicken Ben School, was located on the grounds of Zuckerberg's home in the upscale Crescent Park neighborhood.

In 2021, neighbors became suspicious of the children being dropped off at Zuckerberg's property every day and discovered that a school was being built there. The fact that the Bicken Ben School was accepting students without the necessary permits sparked resentment toward Zuckerberg for flouting local regulations, culminating in a full-scale protest movement.

The documents cited complaints from residents that said, 'It's astonishing that the city is going to such lengths to cater to the needs of a single billionaire family, leaving neighbors in the dark.' Residents also complained that Zuckerberg had consolidated 11 properties into a massive mansion, employed private security guards that worried residents, and frequently caused noise and traffic problems during construction.

The turning point came in September 2024, when local residents filed a formal complaint with city officials. They claimed the school had continued to expand despite 'numerous complaints' and 'multiple reports of code violations,' and demanded swift action and an order to halt activities. Jonathan Leight, the city's planning director, initially proposed a moderate solution that would allow some educational activities to continue, but this sparked strong opposition from residents, who complained that Zuckerberg was a habitual code violator and therefore showed no consideration.

In response, city officials notified Zuckerberg in March 2025 that he must close the school by June 30, 2025, or face legal action. Zuckerberg responded, and the school closed around August. However, Meta spokesperson Brian Baker insisted that the school 'was not closing, it was just relocating,' and did not disclose the address of the new location. Residents have raised questions about whether the school had the proper permits for the new location.

The Tech Buzz, a technology media outlet, said, 'The Vicken Ben School turmoil has highlighted the reality that even tech giants must abide by local rules. The four-year battle has revealed that even the CEOs of major corporations can't circumvent local regulations if neighborhoods organize and persistently resist. It's proof that residents can overcome the privileges of billionaires.'