Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: Prince and Paris Jackson Attend Celebrity Studded Prep School

This week, Michael Jackson's kids participated for the first time in that annual rite of passage, back-to-school. Access Hollywood is reporting that Michael Jackson's two oldest children, Prince, 13, and Paris, 12, have started attending private school in Sherman Oaks, California.

Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: The Buckley School
The Jackson kids are attending The Buckley School, perhaps the most exclusive private school in the nation.

The Buckley School was started in 1933 by Dr. Isabelle Buckley. The focus at the school is on a "4-fold plan of education, focusing on academic training, physical development, moral education and creative expression."

According to the school website, there are 770 total students and an 8:1 student teacher ratio. Those numbers should offer Prince and Paris Jackson a perfect opportunity to transition seemlessly from homeschooling to being schooled with other kids.

The Buckley School boasts an impressive roster of celebrity alums including the Kardashian sisters, Nicole Richie, the Hilton sisters, Kimberly Stewart, Laura Dern, Matthew Perry, Alyssa Milano, Rashida Jones and Natalie Cole. Oksana Grigorieva's oldest son is a current student.

Prince and Paris' first day of school was Wednesday. There has been no word yet on how the kids are adjusting. Prince and Paris are said to be extremely intelligent so the academic workload should not prove a stumbling block to their success. Since the student body and staff of the school are used to dealing with celebrity and the unique challenges that it can bring, the Jackson kids should fit right in.

Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: What About Blanket?
TMZ is reporting that Katherine Jackson will continue to have Michael Jackson's youngest child Blanket, 8, homeschooled by private tutors. The Jackson family matriarch feels that Blanket is still too young to venture out into the world of school after being exclusively educated at home all these years.

Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: Prince's Idea
In a June interview, Katherine Jackson, 80, announced her plans to send the kids to school this fall. However, attending school was reportedly Prince Jackson's idea. He wanted to have more social experiences with peers. Paris was initially reluctant to agree to the radical change, but eventually gave in. Now both tweens are embarking on their first back-to-school experience.

Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: Exclusive...and Expensive
An education at The Buckley School, sometimes referred to as "the Rolls Royce of schools" doesn't come cheap. ABC News reports that Katherine Jackson will pay about $58,020 per year to send Prince and Paris to the private school. What does that get them? Besides a top notch academic program, Buckley boasts fabulous extras like a robotics program where Prince and Paris can design and construct their own competitive robots. The school also offers something vitally important to the Jackson kids- heavy security.

Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: Security Measures
The Buckley School has a lot of famous students, celebrity kids and alums. They are used to providing an increased level of security for their students. Prince and Paris will be well protected during their time there. TMZ reports that Katherine Jackson loves the school. It is close to her Encino, Calif. home, offers a top notch education and is heavily protected.

Michael Jackson's Kids Start School: What Would Michael Think?
While most people are thrilled to see the Jackson kids venturing out and interacting with their peers, the question of what Michael Jackson would think of this latest development looms large.

Michael Jackson was always very protective of his children, especially in public. He often had them wear veils and disguises when going out with him. He also chose to have his kids homeschooled rather than attend private school.

Following Michael's June 2009 death, Prince, Paris and Blanket continued the homeschooling routine that their father had established. The kids attended class in a separate building on the Jackson estate. Knowing how protective he was of his children, what would Michael think of his kids attending school?