School Uniforms and Dress Code
Why Wear School Uniforms?
All OKCPS Elementary Students wear school uniforms in order to:
Promote an orderly and safe learning environment
Eliminate distractions and increase the focus on instruction
Minimize socioeconomic differences
Encourage the practice of professional and responsible dress
Tops: Solid-colored short or long-sleeved polo shirts in designated school site colors; universal district-wide color is gray.
Bottoms: Khaki, navy blue or black uniform slacks, pants, joggers, dresses, jumpers or skorts.
Shoes: All students must wear shoes that do not pose a safety threat to themselves or others.
Each site can also designate other colors to be worn and can be found through the OKCPS Uniform Color Chart that lists the schools and their designated uniform colors.
Middle Schools & High Schools Dress Code
Bottoms
Clothing that fully covers a student from the waist down to at least mid-thigh.
Attire shall not be see-through, sheer, mesh, or otherwise transparent.
Tops
Shirts that fully cover a student’s torso (includes stomach, back, and shoulders) without undergarments showing.
Attire shall not be see-through, sheer, mesh, or otherwise transparent.
Hoodies are acceptable but hoods shall not be pulled up to cover the head.
Shoes
Must wear shoes that do not pose a safety threat to self or others.
Pajamas and house shoes are not permitted.
Items Not Permitted
Caps and hats are not permitted. Exceptions include a head covering associated with students' religious beliefs, for medical reasons, or as approved by school administration for a special school activity.
Clothing and accessories are prohibited if they portray:
Crude, vulgar, profane, violent, death-oriented, gang-related, hate speech, sexually explicit, or sexually suggestive images or messages.
Advertisement of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs or drug paraphernalia.
Identification of a student as a member of a secret or overtly antisocial group or gang or an organization that professes violence or hatred toward others.
Visible tattoos or brands incompatible with the standards set forth herein shall be covered to prohibit their display.
Additional Guidelines
Financial Hardship
Students will not be denied attendance at school or be otherwise penalized for failing to wear clothing that complies with the school uniform or dress code if such failure is due to financial hardship. The student or their parent/guardian should notify a trusted school admin if obtaining the required uniform presents a financial burden.
Schools have procedures and criteria to offer assistance to families who are having difficulty complying with this policy. Please contact your student's school for questions about these programs.
Exceptions to Uniform Policy
This policy does not apply to students using distance learning, sites where the district provides educational services to students pursuant to a contract for extended educational services, or any other sites where district personnel are not in control of the operation of the facility.
Grace Period
Students new to Oklahoma City Public Schools and who enroll mid-session will be granted a grace period of up to 20 school days before being required to comply with the required uniform.
Enforcement
District staff will enforce the dress code consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, alienage, veteran, parental, family and marital status or any other basis prohibited by law that adversely affects the student.
Discipline
Students who violate this policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with the district’s Student Code of Conduct.
Extracurricular Activities
Principals, along with sponsors, coaches, or other persons in charge of extracurricular activities, may regulate the dress and personal hygiene of student participants if the principal reasonably believes that the student’s dress or personal hygiene creates a hazard, or may prevent, interfere with, or adversely affect the purpose, direction, or effort required for the activity. Exceptions to the student uniform may be made to meet the needs of specific classes such as extracurricular activities. Additionally, principals may designate days when the student uniform does not apply.