Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 17/05) - A school in Yellowknife has been recognized as one of the best by a national magazine.

Mildred Hall public school was chosen in the One of a Kind category by Today's Parent magazine, which conducted an extensive survey entitled Great Schools of 2005.

The school has an enrolment of approximately 250 students from kindergarten to Grade 8.

The survey asked readers for nominations to find schools with above average categories, such as respectful environment, terrific teachers, one of a kind and all round cool schools.

Yasemin Heyck, principal of Mildred Hall, said she was very proud to learn of the recognition.

"I do think it is a wonderful school and I wasn't really surprised that we did get it because I think it is high time we were recognized as such," Heyck said of the One of A Kind honour.

The results of the survey are published in the September issue. In total, the 40 schools and programs featured were chosen from more than 600 nominations and are presented in 10 categories.

Heyck said the school will be sent an issue of the magazine, at which time teachers will share the news with the children.

Design accolades

Mildred Hall received accolades for its design, which features a towering tipi classroom with an igloo inside.

Also cited for its Aboriginal culture instruction, the school was described as being a "truly Northern school" with Dene teachers and "regularly draws on the skills and experience of Aboriginal elders, storytellers, artists, trappers, hunters and musicians."

The school gives children the opportunity to participate in cultural activities such as sewing mitts, tanning hides or hunting caribou during excursions.

Mildred Hall was the only school in the North recognized in the survey.