Policy Code: 4316 Student Dress Code

The Board believes that the dress and personal appearance of students greatly affect their academic performance and their interaction with other students.  The Board requests that parents outfit their children in clothing that is conducive to learning.  Generally, dress and grooming standards as determined by the student and his or her parents will be deemed acceptable.  However, the Board holds these expectations of all students:

1. Clothing and appearance must be age appropriate, not disruptive to the teaching- learning process and cannot be provocative, indecent, vulgar or obscene.

2. Hats, sweatbands, bandannas, or sunglasses will not be worn inside the school buildings.

3. Shorts must be of adequate length to reach the ends of one's fingertips when the student is standing and the arms are by one's sides.

4. Skirts and dresses must be no higher than three (3) inches above the top of the knee.

5. Clothing will not be allowed which promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco or the use of controlled substances, depicts violence, profanity, vulgarity or obscenity, is of a sexual nature, or is of a disruptive nature.

6. Shirts and blouses must cover the waist and midriff and go past the waistline.  Tank tops or spaghetti-strap tops may not be worn as an outer garment.

7. Footwear is required.  Bedroom shoes are not allowed.  Students in laboratory or shop environments must wear closed-toe shoes.  Students in physical education classes must wear athletic shoes. Shoes that have laces must be laced and tied.

8. Clothing is not to be sheer or mesh and cannot have excessive holes.

9. Undergarments are not to be visible.

10. Clothing must be worn appropriately (nothing inside-out or backwards, no rolled-up pant legs or unfastened bibbed overalls, no sagging pants, belts must be buckled and worn at the waistline, etc.).

11. Clothing will not be allowed that is intentionally shredded or torn.

12. Tight clothing, such as knit pants, spandex bicycle/biker pants, or overly tight pants, is not allowed.

13. Students shall not wear clothing articles with the intent to convey membership or affiliation in a gang.

Reasonable accommodations will be made by the school principal or principal’s designee for those students who, because of a sincerely held religious belief, cultural heritage, or medical reason, request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance.

Before receiving disciplinary consequences, 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 1.01 of policy 4300, Student Behavior.  The Superintendent or designee shall list in the Code of Student Conduct (AR 4300-R, Student Behavior) 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 (policy 4300)

Adopted: April 15, 2002

Revised: June 8, 2009

Revised: November 21, 2011

Revised: June 17, 2013

Revised: August 20, 2018