Student Dress Code

Each student is expected to come to school appropriately attired. Attire must comply with modest, conservative, traditional dress expectations of a Catholic school. Clothing should be in good taste, neat, clean, in good condition, functional for the school setting, and not distracting to the teaching or learning environment of the school.

It is the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian to ensure their child’s clothing meets the requirements and intent of the Student Dress Code before the child arrives at school each day. When the child arrives at school, the responsibility becomes that of the student to remain properly attired.

The principal is the final authority concerning student attire and grooming issues. The Student Dress Code is subject to change and may be changed at any time during the school year.

Mass attire will be required for students on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Non-Mass attire may be worn on Wednesday.

Mass Attire

Mass attire consists of:

• Navy blue or Ibiley plaid skirt or jumper with navy blue shorts worn underneath
• Navy blue dress pants or dress shorts
• White or red polo-type collared shirt with a buttoned neck opening.
• Black, brown, or navy traditionally styled belt without decorations
• White, navy, or black socks
• White or navy knee-high socks
• Girls may wear white or navy tights under skirts or dresses
• Black, brown, or navy dress shoes or white, black, navy, or gray athletic shoes. Shoelaces may be white, red, navy, or black.
• Navy, white, or red open-front sweater or navy, white, or red light-weight jacket

Non-Mass Attire

Non-Mass attire may consist of:

• Skirts, dresses, or jumpers with matching shorts worn underneath
• Pants, shorts, or jeans
• Shirts or tops
• Sweaters or light weight open-front jackets

Physical Education Attire

Students in grades four through eight must wear PE uniforms and athletic shoes to physical education classes. Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade must wear athletic shoes to physical education classes.

Standards for Mass and Non-Mass Attire

• Shirts and tops must be tucked in, except for students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
• Belts must be worn with clothing having belt loops and belts must be the appropriate size for the wearer and may not dangle. Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students may wear elastic waist pants or shorts without belts.
• Athletic- or dress-style shoes must be worn with socks.
• The hoods of clothing items may not be worn indoors.
• Writing or graphics, except for St. Mary's Catholic School logos, is not permitted on clothing.
• Clothing must be properly hemmed and in good condition without fraying or holes.
• Shorts may be worn before the Thanksgiving holiday and after Spring Break as scheduled on the school calendar.
• Jewelry must be kept to a minimum, be modest in size and appearance, and must not be distracting to others.
• Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Any item or item color that distracts from the appearance of Mass attire may not be worn (i.e., scarves, hair accessories, belts and belt buckles, jewelry, etc.).

In grades five through eight, heavy coats or jackets designed to be worn outdoors should be kept in the student’s locker, except when students are walking between buildings to lunch, or to classes in other buildings.

Prohibited Clothing and Accessories:

• Baggy, oversized clothing
• Camouflage print
• High top lace boots
• Gothic-style dress
• Items that could be considered safety hazards such as chains, spikes, sharp objects
• Gang or gang-like apparel, such as bandannas, towels, hoodies, etc. (Hoodies are heavy weight, usually oversized, sweatshirts with hoods.)
• Hats, caps, headgear, or sunglasses, except as occasionally permitted
• Mini skirts or mini dresses
• Any attire deemed too tight or too revealing
• Tank tops, halter-tops, thin-strapped tops or dresses, half-shirts, muscle shirts, transparent shirts, white undershirts, pajama-like clothing, excessively long shirt tails, low-cut blouses and tops
• Shirts that expose the stomach
• Pants worn below the natural waistline
• Sports wear including mesh knit jersey, spandex, and lightweight nylon clothing such as wind shorts, and clothing (usually jackets) with textured fabric that makes excessive noise when moved.
• Un-hemmed clothing
• Shoes with taps, grooves, wheels, shower or house shoes, house slippers, flip-flops, sandals without a back strap
• Undergarments with writing or colors that may be seen through the outer clothing
• Excessively tight jeans or other clothing

Grooming Standards

• Each student is expected to practice acceptable hygiene and to be appropriately groomed for the Catholic school setting.
• Hair should be neat, clean, and well groomed at all times. Hair color and style must be modest, conservative, traditional, and not distracting.

-Boy’s hair length must not extend below the middle of the ear, below the eyebrow, or be longer than the top of a collared polo shirt. Boys may not wear their hair in a ponytail.

-Girls’ hair must not be styled to fall below the eyebrow. Hair styles in which the face is partially covered are not acceptable.

• Girls in grades six through eight may wear modest make-up.
• Students may wear light neutral or transparent colored nail polish.  Acrylic nails may not be worn.
• Girls may wear one ear ring no larger than a nickel in each ear. Boys may not wear earrings.
• Visible tattoos are not allowed.