Coincidentally, we’re at Madison Middle School (for tonight’s Design Review Board meeting) as we’re reading the news release sent late today by Seattle Public Schools: Madison is one of five SPS schools (the only one in West Seattle) honored as a “School of Distinction” for making dramatic improvements in reading and mathematics achievement. Madison, led by principal Jill Hudson, cited several reasons for its improvement, including low turnover in recent years, professional development time during the regular workday, intervention programs for struggling students, and “engaging afterschool programs.”