Obama girls look at DC private schools

WASHINGTON - Malia and Sasha Obama are in Washington with their mother checking out new schools.

Michelle Obama brought 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia to visit the future first family's top choices, her spokeswoman Katie McCormick Lelyveld said Tuesday. She would not name the schools.

"She brought the girls to visit choices for their new schools to make sure they find the right fit," she said. "Their move to Washington is her top priority."

A small motorcade was parked outside Sidwell Friends on Tuesday for about 40 minutes, and a similar motorcade was at the back entrance of Georgetown Day School on Monday. The Georgetown Day motorcade left after a group of people emerged, but Michelle Obama was not seen among them.

Ellis Turner, associate head of school at Sidwell Friends, would not say if the Obamas had been there.

"We don't provide information on admissions inquiries," he said.

When asked if Michelle Obama had visited Georgetown Day, some parents and students said they did not know. Other students who appeared to be in middle school said that they were not allowed to answer reporters' questions.

The soon-to-be first lady visited both elite schools last week, without her daughters, when she also toured the White House with first lady Laura Bush.

Georgetown Day, founded in 1945, was an early pioneer in integration and prides itself on its diversity. A report posted on the school's Web site says about 35 percent of its estimated 1,000 students are of color.

Sidwell Friends is a private Quaker school that Chelsea Clinton attended.

The president-elect's family has also discussed public school options for the two girls, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty and Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee said last week.