Should Mr. Obama send his daughters to public school?
 

I started ths thread because numerous heated debates have been taking place at school. So many people think that he should send his daughters to public schools in D.C. On the other hand many think that because of his high profile position that he should send his girls to private school. So I wanted to know how you all feel about this issue. I know that I think he should send them to private school.

Do they attend public school now? I think the Obamas will do whatever it takes to keeps some iota of normalcy to the girls' lives. Regardless of where they attend, secret service will always be in tow, so security probably isn't a concern.

Amy Carter ("Dynamo" to the Secret Service) attended public school. Chelsea Clinton ("Energy") attended a Quaker school.

i would think a private school would be best...public schools in DC? lets put it this way, my child isnt anywhere near as high profile as these two and i turned down a job up there so i didnt have to put her in public schools...private was too much as well. some of the private schools up there are huge, and to me they would have more in common with the other children of senators, etc. who live in the area.

If I were the Obamas I would send them to Thomson or Lafayette (public elementary schools) then send them to Sidwell Friends for seventh grade on.

Yeah Chelsea attended Sidwell Friends.

Right now the Obama girls attend a private school: University of Chicago Lab School

Some poeple think that Obama should send them to public school because of his passion about public school education. Also, many people think that if he sends his kids to public school that it will bring some attention to the deficiencies in those schools and perhaps result in the schools getting more money.

I think he should do what is best as far as security. Amy Carter went to a public school and things were fine, but I think the world is a bit more chaotic and dangerous now. Besides, it would be unfair logistically for other children and parents in the public school to be subjected to all of the security measures that will have to be in place for the girls. :)

no..
 

has this question been considered by other president's families? why should it be a consideration for the obamas.

as someone said, the girls already attend private school. personally they should continue that tradition. they should find the best school that could meet their academic needs and one that can handle some of the nuances that go with being children of politicians

the plights of the public school system can be advertised on the local and state level. the obama children should not be guinea pigs for this issue.

i agree that it would also be a nightmare for the children and parents that already attend public schools to have their children's education undermined by presence of the obama girls.

While I advocate for public school, I don't think that his girls should attend public school. How weird would it be to be on the playground with friends, surrounded by Secret Service guys? I think the security aspects would be a "distraction" to the norm of public school. I think that private schools that serves high-profile kids will help them to ease into a new way of life without seemingly being in the spotlight, any more than they will be already. Schools that serve that population, as well as the students that attend, should be used to all the pomp and circumstance.

Welp, Soror AKA2D'91 would be better able to answer this question, however IMHO, the girls need to attend a private school due to the ease in protections by secret service.

Although this is Baltimore, the thing is it's totally not right... Who can control this?

Then the Secret Service actually will find the probation violators then contact the police to arrest them. I think it is controversial for the Secret Service to serve in local law enforcement.

Rest assured, the Secret Service is going to take whatever precautations are neccessary for the protection of the girls no matter what school is chosen, so from that standpoint, their safety really isn't an issue.

Selecting a school as a political point toward Obama's education agenda is of limited political value, in my opinion. Does it look transparent? like a political ploy, particularly given the condition of the DC public schools.

The Obamas should make their choice, ride with it, and let the speculators....speculate.

Since President-Elect Barack Obama's children are currently in private school, I think they should remain in private school....that's all...;).

One of the precuations that they take is carefully choosing the best school environment that is more conducive to protective measures.

I have to agree with you RD. I work in DC public schools, and, looking at my school, it will be a huge distraction for the other students and parents, not to mention the teachers and staff.

This is the central matter. If the school they select is public, private or parochial, it should have no bearing on his policy decisions only what he and Michelle feel is right for THIER childrern as INDIVIDUALS.

Obama has never advocated disbanning public schools or freezing out private schools. He wants to make sure that each and every parent has the same choice as he and Michelle are excercising.

Ditto.