WASHINGTON - In NW D.C., students and parents at Sidwell Friends School were elated when news spread that President-elect Barack Obama (web|news|bio) and his wife had chosen the school for their two daughters. The Obamas opted 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."

She also said that Sasha and Malia had become good friends with Vice President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren, who attend the school.

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.

Parents and students at the school said they are very pleased the Obama girls will be attending. "It's a great choice for anyone's kids," said parent Tom Fishbein.

"I hope they just feel like normal kids here," said student Martin Bate.

Michelle Obama and her daughters visited Sidwell and another elite private school, Georgetown Day, earlier this week. The soon-to-be first lady visited both schools last week, without her daughters.

Lelyveld said that while public schools were considered, the Obamas felt that a private school was in the best interest of their children. The two girls currently attend a private school in Chicago.

"Mrs. Obama is the product of public education on the South Side of Chicago and she believes strongly in the importance of good public schools for all kids," Lelyveld said. "The Obama administration intends to work closely with the school systems in the years to come to ensure quality public education is available to all kids."

Jimmy Carter's daughter, Amy, went to a public school, but Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton (web|news|bio) chose Sidwell for Chelsea. Al Gore III, the son of former Vice President Al Gore, also attended Sidwell.

Tuition at the lower school is $28,442 and $29,442 at the middle and upper schools.

Malia and Sasha Obama currently attend the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where Michelle Obama is on the board.