Sasha and Malia are off to Sidwell Friends today. How exciting! Each girl gets her own campus and, thus, her own little world at that wonderful school. The Obamas know that their daughters will receive a fine education and make lots of new friends. But what's also important to the First Parents is knowing that the girls will be safe at Sidwell. That's why so many famous parents send their children to private school. Once their kids are behind the school's gates they are safe from paparazzi and people who would do them harm.

What about you? Are you thinking about private school for your child? Now's the time to start the process.

The article in Friday's New York Times pertains to college admissions. But it is relevant to the issue of ranking private schools as well. It seems that the college admissions offices are trying to get back to basics. Standardized test scores - SAT and ACT - were never originally supposed to be more than one benchmark against which potential applicants were measured. But colleges are ranked by such things as the SAT and ACT scores their accepted students have earned. Frankly that throws a lot of things out of whack as the article points out.

Private schools have traditionally circled the wagons when it comes to revealing SSAT/ISEE scores and other benchmarks for their applicants. That's why it is virtually impossible to rank private schools. Of course, everybody knows that Exeter, Andover and all the other top prep schools are some of the best in the world. But they are very, very selective and hard to get into.

So, what about all the other private schools? How do you know you have chosen the best school for your child if ranks do not matter? Because the best school for you will be the one which suits your needs better than other schools. In other words the best school for your child is the one which is the best fit.

Today's spotlight takes us to Concord, MA, the home of Middlesex School. One of the top prep schools collectively and affectionately known as St. Grottlesex, Middlesex enjoys a reputation as one of America's finest private schools. It's hard to get into but if you make the grade, superb academics with a sports program to match are yours. Oh, and did I mention the sweet greater Boston location?

Read Middlesex School's profile. If you went to Middlesex, we would like to hear about your experiences and what you thought of the school. Please post your response here.

Private online high schools offer a solution to educating your child under certain circumstances. Perhaps your child is gifted in a subject area. An online high school can offer the enrichment she needs. If he is at home convalescing from an accident or serious illness, an online high school can offer him a practical way of keeping up with his classes. For parents who homeschool their children, online high schools can take care of all the record keeping and accreditation requirements most states insist on.

Check out Distance Learning Guide Jamie Littlefield's All About Private Online High Schools.

The worst recession we have seen in decades combined with a shrinking enrollment pool together with rising tuition fees and falling endowment yields equals a recipe for some very tough times for many private schools. In August 2008 before the financial maelstrom hit, Patrick Bassett, the President of NAIS, was quoted in the Washington Post warning of the perfect storm for private school enrollments. August 2008 seems like light years ago considering the economic meltdown which has occurred since. One can only assume that the perfect storm is indeed at hand.

Many schools have substantial endowments which, even with a 20-30% drop in their book value, will enable them to survive. These schools will continue to offer generous financial aid packages and attract more applicants than they have places for. Other schools will not be so fortunate.

What does this mean for parents? This just might be the time for you to trade up to that school you really wanted your children to attend. As enrollments decline and the application pool shrinks, boards will get jittery. The admissions offices will be more inclined to sweeten the financial aid pot and/or discount tuition. After all, they cannot have unfilled places in their incoming classes and survive for long.

Do your research. Make sure your child offers every last thing the school of your dreams wants. Start the search process early. Then go for it!

More than 800 private schools use the Application Service of the SSAT organization. If the schools to which you are applying use this service, that will save you a lot of time. Keep on top of the deadlines. Many schools have a January 15 or 31 deadline.

Make sure that all teacher recommendations and your parent's questionnaire have been completed and mailed by January 5 so that your child's file can be closed. SSAT test results should be on file by now assuming that your child took the test on December 13 or earlier.

Today's spotlight takes us to Philadelphia, PA, the home of Girard College. Only a few schools in America offer a free education. Girard is one of them. The school came into being as the result of the gift of one of the richest men in America in his time. Stephen Girard lived from 1750-1831 and believed that fatherless boys from poor families deserved a better chance at receiving a good education. The school boards students from 1st grade through 12th grade. All expenses paid.

Read Girard College's profile. If you went to Girard College, we would like to hear about your experiences and what you thought of the school. Please post your response here.

So many things are uncertain as we pause to celebrate Christmas 2008. One thing is sure: friends and family are the center of our celebrations. I wish you and yours a most peaceful and happy holiday.

I am writing this from Mexico City. It's already a gorgeous, clear, sunny day as I compose this blog at 8:15 a.m. (Wasn't Mexico City infamous for pollution just a few years ago?) Yesterday, my travel day, was one of those days you'd rather forget. It's precisely the kind of travel experience you hope your young person never has to go through alone. Which is why I wrote Travel Tips For Teens. First, the printer which printed the baggage labels at the self-service check in failed. Chaos ensued at the counter as a result. The original equipment scheduled for my flight from DFW to MEX had to be pulled from service. Its replacement at another gate left two hours later and with no refreshments save black coffee. (I have added energy bars to the travel list. I usually have them. Forgot them this time.)

Then everything started looking up. Apart from the long lines at Mexican Immigration at Terminal 1, the rest of the process was just fine. I got cash from the ATM, scurried over to the counter to buy my Taxi Autorisado ticket. And shortly was ensconced in a spotless SUV with a very courteous driver enjoying the sights as I was driven to the Zona Rosa. I marveled at how vibrant the city looked. Christmas decorations everywhere. The skywas a warm pink as the sun set. Everywhere I looked there were cars and more cars. I think Mexicans have more cars than anybody and they drive them with great gusto.

Now, down to business: let's say, for example, the CEO suggests that you need to spend a couple of years in Mexico City taking care of the Mexican operations. Don't think twice about it. Your children will have lots of excellent schools to attend. Mexican private schools fall into two categories: the parochial and small owner-run schools and the international schools. You will focus on the international schools simply because they offer the academic programs your children will be expected to have had when they return home. Go for it. Mexico has all the amenities a great, world-class city offers. It's only a short 2 1/2 hour flight back home too.

Feliz navidad!

With Christmas and New Years falling on Thursday this year pretty much every school has closed as of yesterday. The weather forced an abrupt reshuffling of end of term in the northeast and is not helping travel plans for many of you. But for most of us the prospect of two weeks with a different schedule is simply delightful. While there are plenty of last minute things to do - don't forget gifts for him and her - why not pamper yourself this vacation? Set aside some time for some good books.

Also, if you are on a parents' committee of the board at your school, take a few minutes to review my energy saving suggestions. Oil is very cheap right now, but we all know that will not last. Tightening things up will help your school's bottom line which is probably looking more precarious these days anyway thanks to the financial turmoil. (I hope your school didn't have any of its investments with that scoundrel Madoff!)