As federal oversight of America’s schools fades and states assume control, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) steps up. They hope to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding the new federal Department of Education to increase their influence in U.S. public schools.

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The Chinese currently have two powerful programs with close ties to the CCP, operating in the U.S. to reshape the educational landscape of America.

Confucius Schools Morph into Chinese Language and Culture Centers

The Chinese CCP began its soft power strategy to win the hearts and minds of the students in America’s public schools in 2004. “Confucius Institutes” began popping up in public schools and universities across America, eventually reaching their peak at 118 locations. The parent organization, The Chinese International Education Foundation, invested millions of dollars in public schools. In return, the public school provides space in the school’s system to facilitate Chinese teachers loyal to and paid by the CCP to teach students Mandarin, glorify Chinese culture, as well as facilitate foreign exchange opportunities. Many school administrators, seeing the advantage with little expense, opted for the program.

In 2017, when the U.S. State Department designated the U.S. Confucius Institutes headquarters as a foreign mission, the number of installations began to diminish. Today, there are 5 locations labeled as “Confucius Institutes.” The Chinese, not ones to back down, rebranded the Confucius Institutes and gave them a more benign name, like Chinese Language and Culture Centers. It’s estimated that over 500 active programs exist in U.S. public schools and universities today, all of which operate under the umbrella organization, Chinese International Education Foundation.

Chinese Investors Purchase Private Schools

Meet Dr. Fred Hu, one of the most prolific Chinese investors in American schools. Dr. Hu has an estimated net worth of between $607 million and $841 million and owns the largest restaurant company in China. His latest investments focus on private schools across the U.S. While Dr. Hu intends to make money from his investment in private schools, he also seeks to provide a venue for Chinese students to acquire visas to come to the U.S. to study, which gives them an advantage in the admission process when applying to attend a U.S. University.

• In 2017-2018, Dr. Hu founded Primavera Capital Group, a private investment firm that has quietly built a significant footprint in U.S. education. He now owns several private school networks that are held under the umbrella of Spring Education Group (SEG). SEG now operates over 230 schools across the U.S. and internationally.
• In 2017, Dr. Hu acquired the California Stratford School group, comprising 30 STEM schools, for $500 million.
• In 2022, Dr. Hu acquired eight elite BASIS Independent STEM schools. These schools are described as a network of high-performing, K-12 tuition-free public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and beyond.
• In 2018, Primavera Capital Group purchased Nobel Learning Communities, bringing in 180 schools across 19 states.
• In 2022, Dr. Hu purchased The Princeton Review, a study guide that helps students prepare for standardized tests and navigate the college admissions process.
• In 2022, Dr. Hu purchased Tutor.com, an online tutoring platform for K-12 and adult learners in math, science, and writing. The Department of Defense partners with tutor.com as a tutoring program for military personnel seeking help in continuing education.

Dr. Hu’s massive acquisitions have sparked growing scrutiny over his schools’ ties to the CCP, posing national security risks; however, no actions have been taken to censor any of Dr. Hu’s academic programs or schools. The Pentagon flagged Tutor.com for its potential for being a data access risk.

Chinese Influence in U.S. (STEM) Schools

The CCP’s most aggressive means to achieve its objective is to acquire existing private schools, especially those specializing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) ranks among the most prestigious high schools in America. In 2023, a group of concerned parents discovered TJHSST benefited from the following foundations and individuals with ties to the CCP.

• Ameson Education and Cultural Exchange Foundation’s founder and executive vice-president, Sean Zang, had ties to  Beijing’s powerful influencer, The United Front Work Department (UFWD). This educational influence often shapes curriculum and policy in U.S. academic institutions either through purchasing a school or creating partnerships with programs like the CCP’s Cultural Learning Centers. Ameson seeks to neutralize sources of opposition to the policies and authority of the CCP.
• TJHSST’s raising arm also accepted at least $500,000 from Chinese department-store giant Shirble HK, which is also involved with the United Front Work Department.

Chinese Purchase U.S. Military Schools

• The Florida Preparatory Academy, a coeducational college-prep school for grades 5-12, houses an Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. The school is near Melbourne, Florida’s space technology hub. China-based Newopen Education Group purchased the military school in 2017. Newopen describes itself on LinkedIn as “the most influential and valuable education group in China.”
• The New York Military Academy, a school which President Trump attended as a young man, was purchased by Fang Holdings LTD in 2015. The school runs an Army JROTC program and is located six miles from West Point. Fang Holdings LTC is a Chinese real estate company with holdings in the U.S.

Chinese Compromise the Integrity of U.S. Universities

• On May 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education opened a Foreign Funding Investigation into the University of Pennsylvania after discovering Inaccurate and Untimely Foreign Financial Disclosures.
• University of Michigan faces federal investigation after the arrest of 2 Chinese scientists.
• Harvard University professor Dr. Charles Lieber was fired from his position as Chair of the Chemistry Department after making false statements about his ties to Chinese funding he received from Wuhan University of Technology.

America’s Education Is in a Vulnerable State

America’s entire education system is in a state of flux as the federal Department of Education diminishes its oversight while returning control of education to the individual states. Those who would prey on our youth and undermine the basic principles of independence established by our founding fathers view this as an opportune time to take advantage of the unknown to further their agenda.

U.S. Government’s Response to Chinese Influence in Schools

There is little doubt that compromising our public and private schools is a risk to national security. Members of Congress have voiced concerns but offered little resistance. The only formal plea for an investigation came from Mike Waltz, Representative for Florida’s 6th Congressional District and National Security Advisor. On Jan. 31, 2023, Waltz sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing concerns over the CCP’s purchase of private schools across America. Over two years later, there is no record of a formal response from Secretary Lloyd Austin addressing Waltz’s concerns.

George Washington’s Warning

Shortly before he died in 1799, George Washington expressed his concern to parents who sent their children abroad to study under teachers who were taught “principles unfriendly to Republican Government, and to the true genuine liberty of mankind, which thereafter are rarely overcome.” Imagine what George Washington would think today as American parents freely invite Communist trained non-nationals into our public and private school classrooms to teach our children?

How are you praying about China’s influence in our schools? Share your prayers and scriptures below.

Nancy Huff is an educator with a mission to equip believers to pray strategically for the Cultural Mountain of Education. She has authored Taking the Mountain of Education: A Strategic Prayer Guide to Transform America’s Schools, Decrees for Your School, and Safety Zone: Scriptural Prayers to Transform Your School. She leads prayer groups to pray at key educational locations across the U.S. For additional information, go to: https://takingthemountainofeducation.com/author/nancyahuff/. Photo Credit: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images.