Presidential children eschew D.C. public schools

From closed-off kindergarten classes to swanky private schools, presidential children have avoided D.C. public schools.

Amy Carter is the only modern-day exception: While Jimmy Carter was in the White House, Amy was running around downtown Stevens Elementary School, followed by Hardy Middle School in Georgetown.

Jenna Bush, one of the twin daughters of President George W. Bush who was in college when her father was elected, posted two stints as an Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School teacher before moving on to Baltimore schools, but the forays into D.C.’s public school system stop there.

Presidents Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon and Theodore Roosevelt sent their kids to Sidwell Friends School, the private K-12 campus in Tenleytown, where tuition costs more than $30,000 each year. President Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, attend Sidwell, as do Vice President Biden’s grandchildren.

As vice president, Al Gore sent his two daughters to National Cathedral School, an Episcopal college prep school for girls where annual tuition exceeds $33,000, not including activities fees. In exchange for that check, families can expect a student-faculty ratio of seven to one.

John F. Kennedy’s daughter Caroline was kindergarten-age before his assassination, but instead of enrolling in D.C. Public Schools, Caroline attended classes organized by her mother.

Perhaps that’s because the public schools wouldn’t let Caroline ride her pony, Macaroni, around the playground — which is exactly what she did on the White House lawn while attending Jackie’s classes.

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