WASHINGTON — Continuing a tradition among Washington's power elite, President-elect Barack Obama and his wife have decided to send their kids to Sidwell Friends School. Michelle Obama confirmed Friday that Malia and Sasha, the incoming first daughters, will enroll at the pricey private school when the family moves into the White House in January.

Although Michelle Obama has said public schools were under consideration and consulted with District of Columbia school officials, the decision narrowed this week after she and the girls visited Sidwell and the private Georgetown Day School. Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, visited classes and met with students while their mother talked with administration officials and parents. Michelle Obama also visited both schools last week when she came to Washington with her husband to tour the White House and meet with President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.

At Sidwell, the Obama girls will be following in the footsteps of Chelsea Clinton, who attended and graduated from the Quaker school during the eight years her father, Bill Clinton, was president. The last presidential child to attend Washington public schools in modern times was Amy Carter.

"A number of great schools were considered," Katie McCormick Lelyveld, Michelle Obama's spokeswoman, said in a statement Friday. "In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now."