Policy Code: 4316 Student Dress and Appearance

Students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance. Our guiding principles for the student dress code are similar to those experienced and expected in the workplace: attire that furthers health and safety of students and staff, enables the educational process, and facilitates the operations of the school.  Parents are asked to partner with the school district to monitor student attire to help adhere to the guiding principles set forth in the policy.

A. Prohibited Items and Styles of Wear

To promote these goals, students may not wear or carry clothing, jewelry, book bags, or other personal articles that:

1. Are prohibited under any provision of the Code of Student Conduct;

2. Depict profanity, vulgarity, obscenity, or violence;

3. Promote alcoholic beverages, tobacco, the use of controlled substances, is of a sexual nature, depicts violence, is racist or harassing based on cultural or ethnic differences;

4. Threaten the health or safety of staff or students;

5. Display any items with intent to convey membership or affiliation with a gang. This includes bandanas;

6. Are reasonably likely to create a substantial disruption of the educational process or operations of the school. Specifically:

a. Students must wear school appropriate clothing that covers their skin from chest to approximately mid-thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides. (Strapless clothing is not permitted).

b. Students must wear shoes at all times except when changing for physical education or athletic practices or events or when specifically directed otherwise by a teacher or administrator. Bedroom shoes/slippers are not permitted.

c. Clothing must cover undergarments at all times.

d. Breasts, genitals, and buttocks must be covered with opaque (non-see-through) fabric.

e. Headgear – headgear (baseball hats, sombreros, hoods, etc.) and sunglasses are prohibited indoors, unless needed for religious or medical purposes. Full face coverings and Halloween-type masks are prohibited.

f. Pajamas and blankets – Pajamas and sleepwear are not permitted. Additionally, blankets are not permitted to cover up or otherwise hide clothing that would not be in compliance with this policy.

B. Prom and Special Event Attire

Generally, the same standards apply to prom and special event attire as apply in any other school setting.  Principals may take action to deny entrance to and/or remove students from proms and special events who are attired in clothing which violates either the letter or spirit of this policy.

Before being punished, a student who is not in compliance with this policy or a school dress code will be given a reasonable period of time to make adjustments so that he or she will be in compliance.  Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails to comply after being offered this opportunity shall be consistent with Section D of policy 4300, Student Behavior Policies.  The superintendent or designee shall list in the Code of Student Conduct the specific range of consequences that may be imposed on a student for violation of the dress code.

*Revised August 21, 2024*