Obama girls to go to Sidwell

CHICAGO — Malia and Sasha Obama are headed for the Washington-area private Quaker school that Chelsea Clinton attended, aides to the future first family confirmed Friday.

The Obamas picked Sidwell Friends School, where Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s granddaughters also attend.

The school is known for its rigorous standards and for educating children from some of Washington’s most prominent and wealthy families.

It is also the alma mater of President Nixon’s daughters and Al Gore’s son.

“A number of great schools were considered,” said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, the incoming first lady’s spokeswoman. “In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now.”

Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, visited classes and met with students earlier this week, while their mother, Michelle Obama, talked to school officials and parents.

Aides said the Obamas looked at a variety of schools, including public ones. Michelle Obama went to public school in Chicago.

The girls will go to classes on two campuses in different cities. Sidwell’s lower school, where Sasha will attend second grade, is in Bethesda, Md. The middle school, where Malia will attend fifth grade, is in northwestern Washington.

The school has an enrollment of about 1,100, with 39% being students of color. Lower school annual tuition is $28,422, and middle school tuition is $29,442, according to the school’s website.

The girls now attend the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, one of the city’s top private schools.

--

[email protected]