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DC Schools Clamoring for Obama Girls

Michelle visits private schools competing for first kids

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2008 2:12 PM CST

(Newser) – The politicos are debating Barack Obama's cabinet, but Washington’s parents are intent on another Presidential speculation: Where will the Obama girls go to school? Michelle Obama toured two of DC’s top private schools last week, and a third top academy is also thought to be on the shortlist. With tremendous prestige at stake for the chosen school, parents and school administrators are calling the Obamas with advice, the New York Times reports.

The choice of schools won’t just affect which DC denizens get to mix with the President on PTA night. It will also reveal much about the Obama’s parenting style. Will they pick Sidwell Friends, the “Harvard” of the pack, or the informal, progressive Georgetown Day? Or the small, intimate Maret? What's surely off the table is public school; the girls went to private school in Chicago and aren't likely to switch course now.

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Barack and Michelle Obama and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

US President elect Barack Obama embraces his daughter Malia after Obama gave his victory speech on November 4, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images)

Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, left, 10, and Sasha, right, 7, wave to the audience the Democratic National Convention in Denver. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,File)

Sasha Obama, 10, and Malia Obama, 7, the children of President-elect Obama, not pictured, walk to school after their father dropped them off in Chicago, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President-elect Obama, center, drops his daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, off at school in Chicago, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. At right is a U.S. Secret Service agent. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7,arrive on stage during his election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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No matter what the ideology of the president who is elected or what his party is, the privileged people in Washington always want to get a little more privileged. - Michael Kazin, Georgetown historian who has a daughter in Maret School

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DC Schools Clamoring for Obama Girls