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"You guys are reading so much, and you're working so hard, you guys are doing great in terms of your test scores and how this school is doing," Obama told third- and fifth-grade students at lunch, according to released remarks from The White House.

The Title 1 school's motto, perpetuated by Principal Matthew Devan, is "Read, read, read. Because great readers have great choices," and it's caught the attention of officials from the highest echelons of government, Devan said.

Several weeks ago, the deputy secretary of education stopped by a family night at the school, and a month earlier the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development spent some time at Viers Mill.

All exciting moments, but none so momentous as today's surprise visit, Devan said.

"Everyone started yelling and screaming and cheering, and some kids were crying," he said of the moment Obama walked through Viers Mill's doors.

Devan said the visit was kept as a surprise until Monday morning, when he notified staff.