In a controversial move that sent shockwaves through educational circles, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis abruptly expelled four private schools from the state’s voucher program in September 2023. The state’s justification cited “direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party” as an “imminent threat” to student safety, though no specific evidence was provided.
The targeted institutions were operated by Spring Education Group, one of America’s largest private school networks with over 200 campuses across 19 states. The company’s connection to Hong Kong-based Primavera Capital Group—through parent company Primavera Holdings Limited—triggered the political firestorm. Spring Education maintains prestigious brands including Stratford School and BASIS Independent Schools, all of which deny any political affiliations.
This incident ignited a broader conservative campaign against Chinese influence in American education. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton escalated concerns in February 2024 by warning the Defense Department about Tutor.com, another Primavera-owned company providing services to military families. Cotton alleged the arrangement could expose sensitive data to Chinese authorities.
Right-wing media and advocacy groups amplified these concerns throughout 2024-2025, with the New York Post claiming Chinese “infiltration” of classrooms and Texas Scorecard warning about Primavera’s operations in their state. Despite these allegations, Spring Education Group continues receiving public funds in multiple states, including North Carolina where two schools collected over $150,000 in voucher money during 2024-2025.
The controversy deepened with revelations about Primavera founder Fred Hu’s background. Documents show Hu served multiple terms in China’s political advisory body, the CPPCC, while also maintaining his role as a Goldman Sachs veteran and IMF advisor. Primavera’s investments in surveillance technology companies—including SenseTime (blacklisted by the U.S. for monitoring Uyghurs) and Palantir—further fueled concerns.
Paradoxically, many conservative states are embracing a new federal voucher program created by the Trump administration that could potentially channel more public funds to these same companies. The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), set to launch in 2027, offers tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations with minimal oversight.
Education advocates warn this creates a regulatory end-run that could benefit private equity firms like Primavera while undermining public education. Jessica Levin of the Education Law Center notes the program aims to “expand vouchers nationwide, including into states that have repeatedly rejected voucher programs.”
The complex situation illustrates the tension between school choice expansion and national security concerns, with billions in public education funding hanging in the balance.