An eruption of cheers, laughter, and maybe even some tears as a group of hard working 8th graders at the Conservatory of Lifelong Learning got the news that they're going to the nation's capitol. All expenses paid.

Some 400 MPS students are headed on the trip as part of the district's Learning Journey program.

The five day tours includes a stop at the White House and of course, some of the best museums in the world.

 "My head just went boom," Justin Jackson told CBS 58 News. "Wow! We really doing this? It's just, it's a dream come true."

The trip is part of a partnership between MPS and Herb Kohl Philanthropies.