Obama Kids To Attend Private D.C. School

(AP)  President-elect Barack Obama and his wife have chosen Sidwell Friends School for their two daughters, opting for a private institution that another White House child, Chelsea Clinton, attended a decade ago.

"A number of great schools were considered. In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now," said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama.

She said Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, "bring with them a number of security and privacy concerns that come with being part of the new first family — and the school they've selected is positioned to appropriately accommodate that."

She also said that Sasha and Malia had become good friends with Vice President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren, who attend the school.

Sidwell is a private Quaker school with a campus in northwest Washington for grades 5-12 and another in suburban Bethesda, Md., for kindergarten through fourth grade. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha is in second grade, suggesting that the girls would attend schools at different locations.

Michelle Obama and her daughters visited Sidwell and another elite private school, Georgetown Day, earlier this week. The soon-to-be first lady visited both schools last week, without her daughters.

Lelyveld said that while public schools were considered, the Obamas felt that a private school was in the best interest of their children. The two girls currently attend a private school in Chicago.

"Mrs. Obama is the product of public education on the South Side of Chicago and she believes strongly in the importance of good public schools for all kids," Lelyveld said. "The Obama administration intends to work closely with the school systems in the years to come to ensure quality public education is available to all kids."

Jimmy Carter's daughter, Amy, went to a public school, but Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton chose Sidwell for Chelsea. Al Gore III, the son of former Vice President Al Gore, also attended Sidwell.

Tuition at the lower school is $28,442 and $29,442 at the middle and upper schools.

Malia and Sasha Obama currently attend the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where Michelle Obama is on the board.

[miriambk]

I did not vote for Obama, but on this point I agree with the decision that he and his wife made; the girls will simply be safer at Sidwell-Friends.

[cheteunice]

What the surprise? Everyone has been saying he is an elitist--what shouldn''t his kids go to an elite private school? He feels that he is better than the rest of us.

[MissKatie123]

There is no surprise, who cares what he thinks?
He will ruin this country anyway. But, what people don't get is the difference between respect and disagreeing, who cares if he sends his kids to private school? Congrats Mr. Obama, you can afford it. Meanwhile, if you want to send your kids to private school, wait until you can afford it!

[libra217]

I''ll bet there''s even less of a chance that you are a proud graduate of sidwell.

Posted by jgg0002 at 11:07 PM : Nov 22, 2008

Well, I am. What''s your point ?

[hatesthecolt]

Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008

My dear, have you read your own posts? They reak of intolerance for free-thinking or different points of view, topped off with unnecessary ad hominem attacks. Where on earth did you get the idea that Sidwell indoctrinates children with socialist principles? You are so angry about this past election that it''''''''s clouding your judgment and inhibiting your ability to present a logical argument. I recommend you take a deep breath and count to ten before you hit "publish"; you just might stop yourself from putting your foot into your mouth again.
Posted by RationalTalk

Excellent post - wishful thinking, tho. Her hate is all she has.

She proves her ignorance every day all over this website. I am sick to death of ignorant texans. I am willing to bet she''s never been outside the state.

Things you will never hear a texan say:

Too Many deer heads detract from the decor.
Spittin'' is such a nasty habit.
I just couldn''t find a thing at Wal-Mart today.

[libra217]

.they''ve always gone to school where MicHELLe Obslime-a can control the curriculum...and you can bet your bottom dollar she''ll be controlling it here.

Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008

"Control the curriculum"? Rowdy, you are such a fool. As a proud graduate of Sidwell, I can assure you there is NO CHANCE OF THIS !

[nanc12]

Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008

My dear, have you read your own posts? They reak of intolerance for free-thinking or different points of view, topped off with unnecessary ad hominem attacks. Where on earth did you get the idea that Sidwell indoctrinates children with socialist principles? You are so angry about this past election that it''''s clouding your judgment and inhibiting your ability to present a logical argument. I recommend you take a deep breath and count to ten before you hit "publish"; you just might stop yourself from putting your foot into your mouth again.
Posted by RationalTalk

Excellent post - wishful thinking, tho. Her hate is all she has.

[sandy19731]

They could have protected the girls in a public school. I''m sure that it is easier in a private school.
Obama has pledged to improve schools nationwide after the neglect of the Bush administration. Let''s see what happens.
At least we have a chance now.

[rationaltalk]

She does not want her daughters exposed to free thinking beliefs...she''''ll make sure they''''re in an environment that teaches them the principles of socialism and communism, rather than the ideology that this country was founded on individual freedom and achievements. Can''''t mess up their little minds with such nonsense.

Posted by Rowdydfw at 02:15 PM : Nov 22, 2008

My dear, have you read your own posts? They reak of intolerance for free-thinking or different points of view, topped off with unnecessary ad hominem attacks. Where on earth did you get the idea that Sidwell indoctrinates children with socialist principles? You are so angry about this past election that it''s clouding your judgment and inhibiting your ability to present a logical argument. I recommend you take a deep breath and count to ten before you hit "publish"; you just might stop yourself from putting your foot into your mouth again.

[xlib]

hey, think_people, Bush didn''t go to war on his own, ok. So, get off that cr*p. And I see you are resorting to that tried and true lib stand of name calling.
Listen, we have every right to voice our opinions about what the chosen one is doing. Get it?? We will risk being "joe plummered" by your side so get over it.
As for "new, change, hope". Where the he*& is it?? He sure must owe an ton of favors to his "supporters". As for the chosen one winning, thank your msm and acorn, OK??

[xlib]

Not surprised and most of all WHO CARES!!. My God, is cbs so far up this guys butt that we need a feature story on the obvious.
And just why would the kids of the potus go to a public school? Jeez, cover real news for God''s sake. Like, when he last blew his nose, stuff like that.