Not only is it a big day for Barack Obama, it's also a big day for his daughters who headed off for their first day at their new school this morning.

It's a transition that would be tough for any kids - President's daughters or not. New school, new teachers, new friends.

Ten year old Malia makes the 15 minute drive to the middle school campus in Washington where she'll be in 5th grade. It's an award winning entirely green building complete with organic lunches - one of the many things that appealed to her and the family.

Seven year old Sasha has a 25 minute trip to the lower school campus in Bethesda, Maryland , where the emphasis is on quaker values. She'll be in the second grade there.

The family has asked for a as much privacy as possible, what they really want is to avoid scenes like this: Amy Carter's first day at school, under seige by reporters.

"Amy Carter had a really terrible time in the beginning because she went to a public school and the public schools were not really prepared at the time to deal with the child of a President."

Saturday Night Live had great fun imaging a day at school trailed by Secret Service Agents.

While it is the case that Secret Service protection will always be nearby, sometimes in the classroom, the agents know from experience how to blend in and give children the space they need.

From all accounts, Chelsea Clinton, who also went to Sidwell Friends, managed to have a suprisingly normal existance.

"What I saw with Chelsea Clinton was a development of such amazing friendships that she forged that are very strong to this day. When she was the first daughter attending school in Washington her friends were very protective of her."

And Obama aides say that the girls were especially drawn to Sidwell because they have ready made friends there. The Biden grandchildren also go to school there, and the Obama girls apparently bonded with them on the campaign trail.

In case you're wondering, tuition at Sidwell is $29,000 a year.