Alexandria (web | news) , Va. - Despite the controversy surrounding Obama's speech Tuesday, students across the D.C. area took time out from class to listen to the president.

Mr. Wiggins' ninth grade history class took a break from its lesson plan for a message from the president. The class schedule was rearranged at Bethesda's Walter Johnson High School so the 2,100 students could listen to the back-to-school address.

A group of 31 freshman watched intently as the president encouraged them to stay in school and try their hardest. After the 20-minute speech, the students had a chance to weigh in and give their impressions.

"I thought it was a really nice speech," said Steven Cadet, a student. "I thought he pinpointed a lot of the stuff that he wanted us to do, and he really inspired us to do it."

"I liked how he said practice makes perfect. You need to practice to do everything," added Justin Stine, a student.

"It was very inspiring because he was telling us we are the future and we should be the best we can be and we should learn from our mistakes," said Tatianna Petratovich, a student.

Student Emily Culver was a skeptic about the speech but changed her mind Tuesday. "When I first heard about it I was almost kind of opposed to it but now that I've seen it and listened to what he had to say, I think it was a really good idea," she said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students filled the parking lot at an Alexandria Best Buy store for a special watch party Tuesday evening. It was the first day back to school for students in the community and they were excited -- not only about getting back to class -- but also that the president took the time to wish them well.

Hearing the president talk about the importance of doing well in school inspired and uplifted the group."It tells me if I do right and do good that I can grow up and maybe even be the president," said Katherine Claggett, a student.

In a television special Tuesday night featuring the president, basketball star Lebron James and singer Kelly Clarkson, students were encouraged to dream big and use educational opportunities to achieve those dreams.

It's a message BEM Foundation CEO Ronald Mitchell feels kids in the Alexandria community could benefit from. "When you parent as a community and the president is involved... one vision, one voice and that's tomorrow's youth. I think you can do anything and make the unimaginable reality," he said.

It was a double dose of encouragement for most of the students who watched the president's back-to-school speech earlier in the day. It was a speech that challenged them to rise above their circumstances.

"The circumstances of your life. What you look like, where you come from, how much money you have. None of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school," the president said.

They were words that resonated with 11th grader Sade Barber who says she's ready to make this year her best yet. "My junior year is my crucial year and I know I got the president on my side and really good support team so I know I can do good," she said.

The president delivered the back-to-school speech at Wakefield High School in Arlington which is only about five minutes away from the Alexandria Best Buy. It was the subject of a lot of national controversy -- but parents ABC 7 News spoke with Tuesday night said they felt it was positive all around.

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