For the second year, Two Rivers Community School has been named an Honor School of Excellence, the highest achievement level in the state's accountability system.

Two Rivers, a public charter school located on Archie Carroll Road in Boone, is starting its eighth year of operation and currently has 181 students.

The school's overall performance composite score on End-of-Grade tests was 94.4, meaning almost all students made a three or better on their EOG tests. The school also showed high growth.

"We were excited because that's a tough place to maintain and then to improve," said Director Jessica Gilway. "The growth is just as important, because what it means is our students are making academic growth from year to year."

Gilway said Two Rivers' approach is based on hands-on, inquiry-based learning.

"We're not teaching to the test, and we're still doing well, which to us is proof that what our teachers are doing is working and what our parents are doing to support the teachers is working," she said.

The only other local school to achieve the Honor School of Excellence level was Blowing Rock Elementary, which is in the Watauga County Schools system.

Two Rivers also is growing, as it received a certificate of occupancy Monday to add four additional modular units to its campus.

Gilway said the school will create additional play space for K-2 use, an art room, a Brain Gym space, computer lab and student support center.