press release:
Five public schools from Seattle have been recognized for outstanding academic improvements in math and reading that put them in the top 5 percent of the highest-improving schools in the state. The schools are:

• Alki Elementary School
• Hamilton International Middle School
• Madison Middle School
• Mercer Middle School
• Orca K-8 School

Madison Middle School has received a School of Distinction Award for four straight years, from 2008-2011, while Mercer Middle and Orca K-8 have won the award three years in a row, from 2009-2011. Hamilton International Middle School has won for the past two years, 2010 and 2011.

All five Seattle Public Schools named will receive their awards during a regional ceremony to be announced at a later date.

“We are proud to have five schools recognized with this prestigious award,” said Dr. Susan Enfield, interim superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. “It reflects the academic gains our students are making in math and reading, thanks to strong teaching and instructional leadership.”

The SPS schools were among 99 statewide that met the Schools of Distinction performance criteria for the 20010-11 school year.

These Schools of Distinction were announced by the Center for Educational Effectiveness and The Center for Educational Effectiveness, the Association of Educational Service Districts, the Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa-Washington Chapter, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State ASCD and Washington State School Directors’ Association.