School Dress Code

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and families. The school district and individual schools are responsible for seeing that students' clothing choices do not interfere with the health, safety, and learning for any student.

Values

• Commit to minimizing personal distractions to prioritize learning.
• Communicate clear dress code expectations to preserve a positive learning environment.
• Cultivate relationships between staff, students, and families.

Goals

• Ensure students' class time is minimally impacted by dress code violations.
• Use consistent discipline practices.
• Encourage students to express individual styles that are appropriate for school.

Basic Principles

1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students.

   Clothing must be worn in such a way that undergarments are always covered. TN law prohibits exposing body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment.

2. Students MUST Wear

   Tops

   • must have sleeves or wide straps at the shoulder
   • non-see-through fabric from underarm to waistband
   • overlap waistband
   • hoods must remain down

   Bottoms

   • sweatpants, non-see-through leggings, yoga pants, jeans, pants
   • holes or tears must be below mid-thigh as a halfway point between the hip and knee
   • leggings or yoga pants must be paired with tops that extend past the students' wrist with arms by their side
   • shorts, skirts, dresses
     • mid-thigh as a halfway point between the hip and knee

   Shoes

   • students’ shoes must be secured as designed
   • elementary students' shoes must have heel straps

3. Student MAY Wear

   (Within the guidelines provided in section 1 and 2)

   • Hooded tops
   • Jeans
   • Skinny jeans
   • Pants
   • Yoga pants
   • Leggings
   • Shorts
   • Sandals, slides, tennis shoes, boots
   • Non-natural hair color
   • Religious headwear
   • Hats
     • Outdoors on school property
     • Special occasion days
     • Health and/or safety requirements for certain classes

4. Students CANNOT Wear

   • Images, logos, or language depicting drugs, alcohol, illegal items or activities
   • Images of violence, demeaning or derogatory speech, profanity, or pornography
   • Sleepwear or slippers
   • Shoes with wheels
   • Clothing that reveals undergarments
   • Accessories that are considered a weapon, pose a threat, or are a potential safety hazard
   • Items that hide any part of the face
     • Examples include but are not limited to bandanas and hoods
     • Exceptions are masks for medical reasons
   • Articles of clothing that are not compliant with section 1 and/or 4

School Agreements

• Ensure ALL students are treated equitably.
• Clearly convey dress code guidelines to students and families in a variety of ways.
  • i.e., student handbook, social media, posters, announcements etc.
• Maintain a safe learning environment where protective clothing, shoes, & accessories are needed.
  • i.e., eye wear in chemistry, athletic shoes in PE, etc.
• Exceptions for attire for special occasions is at the discretion of the administrative team.
  • i.e., school-wide programs, special performances, or dress up days etc.
• Students out of compliance, section 1 and/or 4, deemed by the administrative team, options are:
  • Students will be asked to change into their own alternative clothing.
  • Students' guardian(s) will be contacted and asked to provide alternative clothing.
  • If available, alternative clothing may be provided by the school. (Optional)
• If a student refuses to change or is a habitual offender, the school administration has the right to assign consequences.

Dress Code Guidelines