How time flies: Malia Obama, 17, graduates from high school

WASHINGTON — President Obama has a plan for his daughter's graduation: Wear sunglasses so no one can see him cry.

Malia Obama, 17, graduates from Sidwell Friends School in Washington Friday, and Obama told talk show host Jimmy Fallon that he expects to get weepy. "One more example of the president crying," he said. "It's going to be bad."

The event does not appear on the president's official schedule, but the White House confirmed that President and Mrs. Obama will attend the graduation Friday solely as proud parents.

"He will be there to see his first-born cross the stage and receive her diploma," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday. "And he and the First Lady are enormously proud of their daughter's accomplishments."

Sidwell Friends, a 133-year-old Quaker school, has been the alma mater of many presidential children, including Theodore Roosevelt, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. Tuition is $39,360 a year.

Malia's sister Sasha also attends the school, and the day marks a special occasion for her as well: She turns 15 on Friday.

The White House announced last month that Malia would attend Harvard University in 2017 after taking a "gap year." In the Tonight Show interview broadcast Thursday night, Obama said Malia is "very eager" to leave the cocoon of the White House.

Malia Obama to take gap year before Harvard

Despite growing up in the public eye, Obama said the girls are remarkably well adjusted.

"They've handled it so well. They're wonderful girls. They're smart and funny, but most importantly they're kind. They don't have an attitude. This was the thing that Michelle and I were most worried about when we got there. We thought, 'How is this going to work?' You've got these butlers, and guys saluting," he said.

"And it's a testimony to Michelle and my mother-in-law that they have turned out to be incredible kids. I could not be prouder."