Dress Code and Appearance Policy 

Policy Code: 4316  

The board believes that responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with  the student and his or her parents or guardians and that appropriate dress and grooming contribute  to a productive learning environment.  

All students are expected to dress in a neat manner and conform to standards of good taste and  decency in their dress while attending school sponsored classes and activities. The final decision in  determining appropriate dress and appearance shall rest with the School Administration. Failure to  adhere to established dress and appearance codes may result in disciplinary action.  

A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  

1. Clothing should be age appropriate, properly fitted, and suitable for the learning  environment. 

2. Spirit wear, district/county programs/colleges/universities and community organizations  clothing items are permissible.  

3. Shirts/tops must have sleeves, cover the chest and back from arm to arm.  

4. Bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts) must be mid-thigh in length and worn at the waist.  

5. When the body is standing straight, clothing must cover the chest, back, torso, stomach, and  lower extremities from    arm to arm to mid-thigh with no exposed undergarments.  

6. Shoes must be worn at all times and must conform to requirements for specific classes.  

7. Hoodies and hooded jackets may not have the hood covering the head while in a school  building. Continued violation of this requirement may/shall result in not being allowed to wear a hoodie at school.

8. Blankets are not permitted in the building.  

B. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

1. Attire, accessories and/or grooming depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity,  gang- related activity, use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs, pornography or substance abuse  are prohibited.  

2. Pajamas, bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved  by the principal.  

3. Headgear including hats, hoodies, bandanas, sunglasses, and caps are not allowed unless  permitted for religious, medical, or other reason by school administration.  

4. With the exception of manufacturer’s logos, personal monograms or principal/school  approved logos, clothing may not display any insignias, logos, labels, graphics, words  or pictures.  

C. EXCEPTIONS:  

1. Religious or Medical Waivers  

Reasonable consideration will be made for students with certain religious beliefs or  medical reasons. A waiver may be requested for a particular requirement for dress or  appearance on an annual basis. In considering a waiver request, the principal or designee  has the right to request additional documentation from medical officials and/or religious  leaders. 

2. Special Activity Accommodations  

The principal shall make reasonable accommodations for students involved in special  duties, activities, or projects approved by the school. Such special duties, activities, and  projects include, but are not be limited to, athletics, P.E. classes, and other activities that  require non-conforming dress on a school campus during the school day. Students who  are taking classes that require a special dress code (such as JROTC or career and  technical education internships) may wear that clothing to other classes.  

D. ENFORCEMENT:  

Each principal shall ensure that this policy is enforced consistently in their school. Before  receiving disciplinary consequences, a student who is not in compliance with this policy  will be given the opportunity within a reasonable period of time to change into acceptable  clothing by using available clothes at school or by calling a parent to bring acceptable  clothes. Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails to comply will 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.  

Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -390.2  

Cross References: Student Behavior Policies (policy 4300), School Plan for Management of  Student Behavior (policy 4302), Disruptive Behavior (policy 4315), Gang-Related Activity  (policy 4328)  

Adopted: August 1, 2016 
Revised: June 5, 2017 
Revised: May 5, 2018 
Revised: May 24, 2018 (technical corrections only) 
Revised: August 3, 2020 
Revised: May 2, 2022