Founders Uniform Dress Code

Good uniforms cultivate an atmosphere of studiousness and decorum, minimize distractions, and remind us that we are doing important work. In our appearance we show our opinions about ourselves, show respect for what we are doing, and respect for those with whom we spend our time. We dress up when we take something or someone seriously, and through our appearance we communicate that respect. Clothes can distract and prevent others from devoting their energy and attention to their schoolwork. Our goal is to minimize such distractions and to foster a healthy respect for school, for teachers, for fellow students, and for ourselves.

To that end, the school has worked to ensure that uniforms are dignified, durable, and affordable.

All students are required to be in their proper uniform whenever they are on campus before, during, and after the normal school day. If students are not in their proper uniform, they will not be allowed to attend class until the problem is fixed. In such a case, parents will be required to being correct uniform attire. A student who is repeatedly out of uniform will be disciplined.

The color and type of uniform pieces are determined by grade and what you are able to purchase for each grade level, as laid out in the website. Click on the "FCA Uniform Store Link" at the top of this page to see approved uniforms. The girls' skirt has been discontinued through the provider and is now to be ordered through Land's End. Click on the "Land's End Link" to find the skirts. Specific links are available in the "Skirts" section below.

All uniforms and sweaters should have the child’s name, written in sharpie, on the interior tag, or, in the case of the PE uniform, on the front name patch.

Shirts

All students must wear the standard uniform shirt according to their grade level (K-8 or 9-12). These embroidered shirts are only to be purchased through Founders Classical Academy of Schertz’s Official Uniform Shop found at https://www.frenchtoastschoolbox.com/schools/founders-classical-academy-schertz-QS5CEAM as they are embroidered with the school crest. A white, short-sleeved undershirt may be worn underneath. Shirts must be buttoned all the way up, except for the top button. Shirts must be tucked in, neatly, not bloused.

Pants

Young ladies and men in all grades must wear only the approved French Toast khaki uniform pants (the styles are listed below). These should be worn with a brown belt free of embellishment and may not be tight or form fitting. The belt is optional for kindergarten. Pants should be worn at the waist; they should reach the shoe but not the ground.

The following may be purchased through the FCA Schertz Official Uniform Shop or other suppliers:

• French Toast Boys Pull on Khaki Pants (K-1 only)
• French Toast Boys/Men Adjustable Waist Double Knee Khaki Pant
• French Toast Boys/Men Double Knee Pant (Modern Fit) Workwear Finish Khaki Pant
• French Toast Girls Pull on Khaki Pants (K-1 only)
• French Toast Girls/Womens Bootcut Khaki Pant
• French Toast Girls/Womens Straight Leg Khaki Pant

Shorts

Young men in all grades must wear French Toast khaki uniform shorts (Boys Flat Front Adjustable Waist Short or Boys Pleated Adjustable Waist Short). These should be worn with a brown belt free of embellishment (belt is optional for kindergarten). Shorts are not approved for young ladies.

Skirts

Although skirts are optional for young ladies at Founders Schertz, should they choose to wear one, it must be the uniform skirt prescribed for their grade level. Kindergarten through 8th grade must wear either the French Toast “Girls Below the Knee Pleated” khaki uniform skirt or the Land’s End “Pleated Skirt Below the Knee” khaki uniform skirt. Ladies in 9th-12 grades are to wear Lands End “Navy Below the Knee Pleated Skirt” or Lands End “Clear Blue Plaid Below the Knee Pleated Skirt”. All skirts must be worn with khaki or navy modesty shorts. Ladies should wear white socks free of logos, or white or navy tights free of patterns. Leggings or footless tights do not qualify as tights and should not be worn. The hem of the skirt should sit naturally at the knee cap or below. Parents may want to consider buying a size up and getting the skirt tailored to ensure compliance.

Socks

All socks must be solid white and free of logos.

Shoes

Students must wear closed-toe, closed-heel, shoes of muted/neutral color (navy, white, black, gray, brown), free from any other colors or distracting ornamentation. They may be dress or athletic shoes (athletic shoes must be worn during PE). Boots, crocks, moccasins, slippers, high heels, heelys/wheeled-shoes, light-up shoes, high tops, etc., are not permitted. Athletic shoes are REQUIRED for PE for all students. Please consult the office if you have any questions or concerns regarding shoes BEFORE the student wears them to school.

Sweaters - LABEL WELL WITH STUDENT’S NAME

The French Toast uniform cardigans the only additional layer a student is allowed to wear over their polo while inside the FCA campus buildings. It must be the French Toast Brand and approved style (Girls - Anti-Pill Crew Neck or Pom-pom Zip Up Cardigan Sweater, Boys - V-neck Cardigan Sweater or Zip Front Sweater). Students should remove all non-uniform outerwear, including hats, jackets, gloves, non-uniform sweaters, etc., upon entering the campus buildings. School jackets are available to purchase on the school’s official uniform shop at https://foundersclassical.itemorder.com/sale, but are optional.

PE Uniforms - PUT STUDENT’S NAME ON BOTH UNIFORM PIECES

All students, 6^th grade and up, are required to wear the school PE uniform for gym class. These are only available to purchase in the following way:

General Appearance

Fads in hairstyles, clothing, or anything designed to attract attention to the individual or to disrupt the orderly conduct of the classroom or campus are not allowed. Garments should be clean and free from tears, or excessive wear. No undergarments should be visible.

Hair

Hair should be clean and well groomed. Hair should not be worn so as to extend over the eyes. Words, symbols, and designs shaved into hair are not allowed. Hair styles for boys should not touch the collar of the shirt when the boy is standing, nor should it cover his ears, sideburns should be neatly trimmed, extending no longer than the bottom of the earlobe, and hair should not stand higher than 2 inches above the head. Boys must be clean-shaven. Unnatural hair coloring, shaving of partial areas, or streaking is not permitted. Excessive hairstyles (e.g., “mullets,” “designs,” “mohawks,” “fauxhawk/fohawk,” etc.) are not allowed.

Jewelry

All jewelry should be simple and undistracting. Girls may wear earrings that are simple studs. Girls may wear no more than one earring per ear. Boys may not wear piercings of any sort. Necklaces are to be tucked inside the student’s polo/oxford and no choker necklaces are permitted. One bracelet/watch per arm is allowed, but charm bracelets are not permitted. No gauges may be worn in pierced ears, and students may not wear grills on teeth. Tongue rings and other visible body piercings, including nose and eyebrow rings, are not allowed.

Makeup/Cosmetics

Girls in grades 6 and up may wear makeup that is natural in appearance and not distracting. Students may not wear nail extensions; they may wear clear nail polish, free from glitter and/or color. Students arriving in colored nail polish will be asked to remove it in the front office with nail polish remover and may receive disciplinary consequences. Visible body tattoos and body art are not allowed. Students may not write or draw on themselves or each other, and will be asked to wash it off if they do so.

NOTE WELL:

The school is not responsible for parents ordering incorrect attire, or paying for unacceptable hairstyles; all students will be expected to comply with dress code norms. All determinations in question are made at the discretion of the headmaster, or his designee. If you have a question about the uniform compliance of any of the non-French Toast items, please consult the office before sending your student to school wearing the item (ie, shoes, belt, socks).

**We strongly encourage students to carry an additional uniform in their backpack for unforeseen accidents that may occur during the day. This prevents additional disruption of the student’s academic day while he or she waits in the office for parents to bring a clean uniform.

Uniform Care Suggestions

1. PRE-TREAT any stains or spots before washing uniforms.
2. Wash uniforms in cold or warm water with a gentle detergent.
3. Shirts should be hung to dry in order to prevent shrinking and excessive fading.
4. Remove uniform pants/shorts/skirts from the dryer while they are still warm, press them with your hand and hang them in order to prevent the need for ironing after each wash.
5. PE Uniforms should be washed inside out and dried on low heat to preserve the design on the front.