no public DC schools for Obama kids

[Full Quiver]

WASHINGTON — 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."

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.
(from Comcast.net)

Does this make them Quakers? Had to ask since so many say AJ Tomlinson was a Quaker.

This was a quick decision. This guy just isn't who he said he was. I'm not surprised but I think millions will be but they may not even care.

[jinjer]

And the cost of said school is....
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for 2008-2009
Lower School
$28,442
Middle and Upper Schools
$29,442
Tuition includes a daily hot lunch, curriculum fees, and Lower School textbooks.

Additional annual fees are:

Lower School Parents Association Fee $50
Middle School Parents Association Fee $55
Upper School Parents Association Fee $75
Middle School Textbooks $250-$300
Upper School Textbooks $500-$600
Bus Transportation (Optional)
Daily trips between Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD campuses $695/$995
Lower School Aftercare (Optional)
1 to 5 days per week $1,485 to $5,250
Middle School Aftercare (Optional) $650 per trimester

[Pastor Gary]

Wonder why they didn't consider homeschooling or private tutors?

[crispfin]

I don't care personally. Their parents chose the school they felt was best for their kids and can afford to send them there. Wish I could've had a nice Quaker education...

On second thought maybe not.

[DaJudge]

I don't blame them. I'd never send my kid to public school in DC, even WITH Secret Service protection.

However, I find it hypocritical that he opposes vouchers that would enable other children and parents to be able to afford the options he and his privileged children have.

[Full Quiver]

Don't get me wrong, I don't blame them.
My point is that we knew good and well they weren't going to public schools but Obama publicly acted as if it was a possibility.

[jinjer]

By posting the prices, I wasn't saying I had a problem with their choice. But, if you are going to make that kind of choice, don't like you're all down with the common folk, working poor etc. Just say it like it is, I've made the choice to send my children to the best school that my money can buy.

Jinjer

[Tim Elston]

However, I find it hypocritical that he opposes vouchers that would enable other children and parents to be able to afford the options he and his privileged children have.

Right on. If the putative standard for universal health care, according to the rhetoric on the Hill, is "the same health care that Senators get," then the standard for public education ought to be the same. Although I shudder to think of how expensive it would be to provide $28,000 vouchers, since obviously very few people pay that much in taxes. Oh well, I'm for an educational free market. But am I for a fair one? I'm not sure yet. Not having kids I haven't thought much about this issue. Just blithely shooting from the hip here.

[nobodyyouknow]

I cannot imagine how disruptive it would be to a public school to try to provide adequate education for those kids especially with the Secret Service people there. Most public schools are crowded also. That private school is probably quite accustomed to having famous kids in the classrooms. Chelsea Clinton went there as well as a lot of Cabinet leaders' kids etc. With much smaller sized classes it would be much easier to make the necessary adjustments without disrupting everyone. Also, it will be much easier on the Secret Service guys who are responsible for their safety.

[DaJudge]

I cannot imagine how disruptive it would be to a public school to try to provide adequate education for those kids especially with the Secret Service people there. .

Amy Carter went to DC public schools. I agree, though, it would be disruptive.