The global pandemic generated by COVID-19 and the consequent mandatory confinement measures of the population entail unpreceden- ted challenges for the education systems elsewhere. The closing of the schools and of the face-to-face classes highlights a critical question: What is the school for? The objective of the paper is to reflect on this question from a sociological perspective and, in particular, from an educational and social justice perspective. It is argued that the main function of the school as a specialized institution should be the transmission and acquisition of powerful, relevant and meaningful knowledge for all students. Likewise, two requirements are established to guarantee the exercise of this role: the physical presence as the basis for developing full interaction; and the role of teachers to simulta- neously ensure students? learning and wellbeing. Overall, the paper provides a reflection not only on the impacts of the current situation on the functions of the school, but also on the meaning of the educational institution in the xxi century, representing a key contribution within the debates of the sociology of education.