Sidwell Friends Famous Alumni (SLIDESHOW)

It's official: after much speculation, the Obama girls will be attending Sidwell Friends School when they move to Washington, DC in January. Check out our slideshow of famous Sidwell Friends alumi below:

****See more Obama slideshows****

• • • • • • • • • Archibald Roosevelt, Theodore's son, attended Sidwell Friends.

Comments

[rnrosi]

I agree with some of those above. Washington, DC public schools are limited because of the poor quality that has been allowed to infiltrate many of our public schools throughout this country. We have no funding left over for our educational systems. The public systems has deteriorated so badly within the past 10 years. We want the Obama children to be well educated and safe, socially and physically. Don't we want the best for our first family? Seriously, tax dollar-wise, it is less than a drop in a bucket of what will be and has been spent in the big picture (multiple hundreds of billions of dollars going to the Bush cronies for bale outs, vacations...issues such as this is what we should be outraged about!).

Hopefully with the changes that we will see within the next 4-8 years, change in our public schools will happen and we can begin to feel secure enough to integrate our young children, grandchildren back in to the public systems again. It will be important that we as parents, grandparents, and concerned students, adults, join the school boards, make changes (and create some noise) for our local educational teams, teachers, etc. It has to start at the root of the problem. Community awareness, volunteers, and organizing so that we help fix problems rather than only offering lip service.

[joebiz]

I love the idea of tax payer dollars paying for public servants' children to attend private schools. How do I join the club? Where do I sign?

But seriously, the children of the great majority of people that helped get Obama elected should also benefit from top-notch schools and installations like the Sidwell Friends, St. Paul, Exeter, Choate, and all the other Ivy League feeders. By doing that, we can get more future "Obamas," people of color, elected to high political offices.

Or, are we and do we want the replicating of an underclass through lousy public schools?

[Indygal2]

Good grief! Where did you get the idea that "tax payer dollars" are paying for Obama's daughters' tuition? You do know Barack has made millions from the books he's written, right? He currently has two books on the Top 20 Best Seller List. You can rest assured that they are paying their own tuition. Just like every other parent who sends their children to private schools!

[purplerain]

what makes you think taxpayer dollars are being spent on their tuition? The Obamas have plenty of their own wealth. Besides, if he is paid a salary, he can spend it on whatever he chooses. Since when do we dictate where public servants send their kids to school? I'm sure if anyone had a choice they wouldn't put their kids in DC public schools. But President Obama should send his? NOT!!

[amethystlady2]

Joe, I and the rest of my family, brothers and sister, all went to a "Private" school...from K-12. Where do you get the idea that TAXPAYERS paid ANY part of our tuition? It would be a good idea to read about the situation before you start spouting your right wing blatherings.

What you wrote is pure racism. I'm certain the Obama's want the best education for their children, in a SAFE environment.

And, we were not in the public eye as in politics...ours was a parochial school, but still considered "private"....meaning the parents had to pay tuition....get that? THE PARENTS!

[KittyLitter]

They are SAVING taxpayers money. They pay tuition and the secret service detail to protect the girls is far less there than a public school.

[buddha1979]

"...tax payer dollars paying for public servents' children to attend private schools..."

Um... Joe... you gotta think about this one again there buddy.

Are you saying that there's something wrong with the Obamas sending their kids to a private school using the money they earn as SALARY?

My friend's dad worked for the Air Force. My friend went to a private Catholic school. By your definition, my friend's dad was using tax payer money to send his kids to a religious school.

Oh wait... I work for the government. I just hired a plumber to fix my bathroom sink. He sends his kids to private school. Oh no... he used your tax payer money, which went into paying my salary, which I used to hire a plumber, who in turn used that tax payer money (your money) to send his kids to private school.

Wow... trippy reasoning there. Have you been reading "This is the House that Jack Built?"

[ABCD]

Thanks Buddha - I really could not have said it better!

These trolls are all over the place.

[joebiz]

I guess this "troll" must remind you of the article above, that I did not write, but you should re-read. The article stated that many of the parents of federal employees, both in the Administration and federal technocracy/bureaucracy have children in some of these top notch schools. Great!! Send them where ever they like, they are paying for the tuition. Via tax dollars, yes?

But, let's not fool ourselves into thinking that Washington DC schools, especially the lower performing schools, are not as "resource rich" as the private schools. Many of these schools have tremendously lower reading and math scores. Why should the children of lower performing schools not get a great education?

Why is it that a clerk or a janitor or a dishwasher at the, say, Washington Monument or Smithsonian or US Congressional cafeteria not be able to send their kids to top notch schools, even if they cannot afford it? Why is it that upper echelon federal employees can only benefit from this luxury?

You know a Cabinet Secretary is not sending their kids to Montgomery Elementary.

http://www.psk12.com/rating/USthreeRsphp/STATE_DC_level_Elementary_CountyID_0.html

Click on the link and you'll see a pattern. The lower scoring schools are distributed based on income. These children have no choice. We should fight to give them one, where they also can get a Sidwell Friends education, at a public school, via tax dollars..

[gopons]

Wasn't Sidwell the obvious choice? I thought Joe Biden's grandchildren go to Sidwell. When you see the four them together (the Obama girls and his two granddaughters), it is clear there will be a lot of silly slumber parties in the White House.

These are going to be some fun, rejuvenating years ahead with these two, Barack and Joe, in charge.

[hortonhearsawho]

They have an on-line program?

[jdmba]

I hope there is cultural and racial diversity at the school. The girls need to be around a lot of different types of children, especially ones that share their experience as African-American pols daughters. It's an impressionable age.

[goldnchyl]

As a native Washingtonian, I can say that Sidwell Friends is one of the most well-rounded, diverse, and excellent academic institutions around. I had many friends from the school as a kid and it definitely fosters tolerance and expanded thinking.

[ZinDC]

Not only cultural and racial diversity, but economic diversity. Children of teachers and security guards, government workers, scientists and artists go there, along with the children of lawyers, doctors, politicians, journalists, diplomats and business enterpreneurs. Rich black kids and lower middle class white kids and kids from Latin America, India, China, Scandinavia, South Asia, the Middle East. Exchange students from a Friends School in Ramallah are attending this year. The Obamas chose Sidwell Friends not only because of safety concerns. Their children will be in class and sports and community service with kids from all over the world, and all along the economic spectrum. It is not just a school for rich white kids.

[hortonhearsawho]

Who in their right mind would not send their children to school here? Being the responsible parents is what they are doing and hats off to them. The program sounds fantastic.

[PinkyTuscadero]

There is. It's an excellent choice for school because of its (relative) diversity, traditionally progressive values and great education. I didn't go there; family could never have afforded it. My sister and I went to parochial high schools in the DC area. Our family is very big on public education and we were in public schools until 9th grade. After that, my parents scrimped and saved and begged the nuns for discounts to send us to private schools. They did it because DC schools are not just not good. They are truly terrible. Just a quick example-- I was placed in a SW high school to take my GRE in the late 80s/early 90s. I was not only speechless at the facility itself-- there literally were parts of the roof caving in on the students and there was no room in classroom to move since there were literally 100 seats packed into classrooms only large enough for 30. I'd say it was a fire code violation, but that would presume DC enforces a fire code (I once watched a lost ambulance drive aimlessly with its lights on around a neighborhood near Adam's Morgan for 45 minutes.)

[Crozier]

Let's face it !! Sidwell Friends has always known how to protect the children of the POTUS and the VPOTUS and the VIF scions for generations. The Society of Friends (Quaker) have views that we can all both applaud and emulate. There are Quaker schools throughout the East Coast who embody those principles.

We are speaking about the precious children of the first AA POTUS, a man we all worked very hard to elect and along with VPOTUS Biden, are men we do not want distracted by having children or grandchildren in a potentially problematic academic environment.
'
Good choice.

[NMO14]

EVERY child is precious, not just Obama's children, let's get that straight right now!

[JMBrodie]

How safe are your kids from potential assassins? What? Not an issue for you? The man is President. His children are as much targets as he is. As someone whp has taught in inner city public schools, I think the Obama's made the right choice. Sidwell has a history of protecting high-profile children.

It's where I would have sent my daughter.

This is not about one child being more valuable than another. It is about the reality of the world we live in. You would do no less for your kids.

[inorbit]

I would rather see them in a public school, but I'm sure the problem with the DC public schools is this:

The Obama girls are probably very, very bright and are probably above grade level in most subjects. In most of the better schools in the DC probably most of the kids are below grade level and while these schools may have good curriculum and better resources than most of the other schools they may not have the resources to accommodate kids who need an enriched, high level curriculum. Also, they will probably need a lot of flexibility as there are times when they may travel with their parents.

I do strongly support public schools. I send my children to public schools that do have a lot of urban, underachieving kids, BUT our public school system still has a strong high end culminating in lots of AP classes at the high school and superb music and athletic programs. The minority kids that attend our system have a much higher graduation rate than almost any other majority minority system in the state and tend to do very well in life.

This is the way all urban systems need to be.

[JaiMitch]

I am a big supporter of public schools, I went to public schools and turned out just fine. However, DCPS is a different kind of monster. There is a lot of "urban renewal" going on and DC is a lot safer than it used to be, but this is still the district and sending those girls to the local public school would be a secret service nightmare. Also, for people who are concerned about diversity, there really is no diversity in DCPS, the majority of the kids are African-American or Hispanic-American and they mostly come from low income homes. Sidwell Friends has a reputation in DC, Maryland, and Virginia for having a very diverse mix of children not just racially but also economically. The girls will have friends who are the children of politicians and dignitaries as well as friends who's parents work for the DC metro system. Sidwell is a great school and whenever I have kids, if I could send them there I definitely would.

[amethystlady2]

So, you want the poor girs to have to be in a public school, with Secret Service people surrounding them...and basically isolating them from the other studentgs...and probably a good thing, that would be, since the public schools in DC are just possibly no better than any public schools in the rest of the US.

Plus, most are not 'closed campus". Safety has to be a major issue here.

[inorbit]

That is just my point - they probably wouldn't have much of peer group in the DC public schools - even the good ones. There are many excellent public school systems in this country in which the Obama girls would fit in fine - sadly, DC is not one of them. Michelle should devote her time to improving urban public schools since 90% of black children attend them.

[LoyalOpposition]

I didn't see any great accomplishment by any of the alums. Surely they can find a more progressive school for the very bright Obama girls.

[hortonhearsawho]

I saw one of them getting a hug from his kid...great accomplishments and thier measurement.

[Lionsden]

I have mixed feelings only because the Obama girls are children of democrats. I feel they should be in public schools because of the democratic party stance on education. The message it sends is that the Obama's are not setting a good example. It is disturbing that democrat rank and file members are not offended (they should be).

I was educated in the public schools (can't you tell?) as were all my family. My children were home schooled (we could not afford private schools).

I imagine Mrs. Obama would be a most excellent home school mom, don't you think? Think of all the extra-special time she would have with those precious girls if she did.

I think home-schooling in D.C. would be totally awesome because of all the museums and resources available at your fingertips.

[unstuffedshirt]

Which is it? They should be in public schools--which your children were not--or they should be home schooled? You swing from one to the other here.

Michelle Obama is going to have her hands quite full as first lady; even if she felt that home schooling were in the children's best interests despite the problems with poor social adjustment it creates in so many children, she really is not in a position to do it herself right now. As for putting them in public schools, this really isn't realistic given issues with security and privacy. A private school is much better equipped to handle children of presidents and vice presidents. This is not just a symbolic matter but a very practical one.

[NMO14]

I have a problem with home schooling...but public schools would have been far preferable to an elite private school. I don't care how diverse the student body is...the background of the students most assuredly will not permit the Obama girls to meet children of different social backgrounds...ethnic and cultural, yes, and I applaud that, but it is NOT enough!

[Lionsden]

unstuffed:
my preference for the Obama kids is:

1. public school
2. home school
3. private school.

I cannot think of a more "poor social" enviroment to put the children of the wealthy and powerful in than schools with more children of the powerful and wealthy in stratified layers for 12 years.

If they don't come out snobs, they are likely to come out boobs who feel guitly about their wealth or privilege and wreck the nation. I hope the Obama girls wouldn't be either.

I'm of the opinion that the biggest troublemakers in America are those in seats of power who went to private schools and graduated from Ivy League colleges and universities. After all, we are serious, serious trouble and THEY have been, by and large, in charge for the past century.

[shelsay]

We would never demand that a teacher become an attorney. Why would we tell an attorney (Mrs. Obama) to become a stay at home teacher. She's doing an excellent job teaching them when they are at home. The woman has a law degree. She can afford to send her children to an excellent school where I'm sure the teachers are perfectly happy to teach. Having an opinion about how someone else should educate their children is like accepting someone else's opinion that you have a bad mother. it's absolutely ridiculous.

[fem56]

I went on there website and I decided that this was the school for the girls so I was happy to hear they chose it. Though how much can you tell from a website. It just looked like a beautiful oasis and perhaps a bit old fashioned in values-in a great way.

[maggiee]

Remember people, it's a "Friends" school. That means Quakers and Quaker values. Great choice.

[hortonhearsawho]

and Quaker Oats....

[xherv]

Blunderbusses and hats with brass buckles too?

[Yermammy]

That one of the Clinton's is truly touching (weeping now). So wonderful to see them arm in arm. From left to right you have the Bosnian sniper survivor (bless her heart), then the Hedge Funder (don't worry, she sells arms to the Saudi's now) and last but not least, the Slick Willy Man (deregulator of the banks, the telecoms and purveyor of NAFTA). Ahh... it does a heart good. (major snark).

God, it's good to finally get a real Democrat in office. Jimmy Carter is smiling!

[NMO14]

You are so sad...you really need to see a therapist, TODAY!

[Tobiasism]

Sidwell Friends' School is one of five platinum Leed buildings in the nation.
Has the most ecological design and lowest energy footprint on the planet.
Grey water recycling, apssive and active solar energy use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design

[Yermammy]

Just like this new Obama administration! They are recycling the hell out of Clinton people! YES WE MUSN'T!

[hortonhearsawho]

before you know it and gas prices will be down like in the Clinton years. before you know it the economy will swing upward, just the Clinton years. before you know it...no wars. before you know it, a blanced budget just like.....recycling is good for the environment to boot....

[Stew118]

nothing beats u of c lab school... hehe

[sunny555]

Love the picture of the Clinton females pre- plastic surgery makeovers. They both look so different now.

[maggiee]

Surely the fact that it's been more than eleven years has nothing to do with it

[shelsay]

lol

[NMO14]

You give us twenty two minutes on Huffpo, we'll give you non-stop Clinton hate.
Sunny 555 and his or her (it?) lot are like clockwork in their silly Clinton bashing.