Purpose
The purpose of North Star Academy’s Dress Code policy is to improve the learning environment by:
- Ensuring clothing is modest and non-offensive.
- Reducing peer pressure and emphasis on brand name clothing.
- Minimizing health and safety concerns.
- Developing consistency to reduce conflicts and questions of enforcement.
Policy
Please note that Dress Code items not specifically covered below but considered inappropriate or contrary to the purpose of the dress code policy are subject to review and interpretation by the administrator and/or Board of Trustees.
Tops
Students may wear any solid colored polo shirt that meets the following requirements:
- is unadorned — defined as NO: writing, lace, ruffles, sequins, or decorative embroidery, a small graphic or adornment (less than 1″ square) is acceptable
- has no incidental trim except on the inside collar and on button lining
- has the collar folded down
- is long enough to be tucked in when bending over
- has sleeves that cover the shoulders (may be short or long sleeves)
- is not too sheer, tight or otherwise revealing
- is free from tears, frays, or holes
- is not excessively worn
Students may wear a long or short sleeved unadorned solid white t-shirt, tank top, or turtle neck underneath the polo shirt. Students may wear an unadorned solid navy blue sweater or sweatshirt (no hoodies) over the polo shirt. No other layering on top of the polo shirt is permitted. North Star Academy’s embroidered logo is permitted on the polo shirts, sweaters, or sweatshirts.
Bottoms
Students may wear any solid tan, black or navy blue pants, capris, shorts, skorts or skirts that meet the following requirements:
- is not denim, nylon, sweat, leather, or vinyl material
- goes to the knee or longer
- is unadorned — defined as NO: writing, lace, ruffles, sequins, or decorative embroidery, except on back pockets
- has no incidental trim
- is not too sheer, tight or otherwise revealing
- is free from tears, frays or holes
- is not excessively worn
Girls may wear inconspicuous shorts under skirts. No clothing or layering that shows is permitted.
Shoes
Students may wear any shoes that have a strap or some sort of a back on the shoe so that it doesn’t slip off the feet. Students may not wear:
- Slippers
- Shoes with wheels
Hair
Students may wear their hair and hair accessories in any way that is not so extreme in style or color so as to distract from a learning environment.
Accessories
Body piercing jewelry will be limited to earrings. Students may wear jewelry that is appropriate for school and is not a distraction. Students may wear an unadorned solid black or brown belt (no sashes) to be worn in the pant belt loops. Any socks may be worn with long pants. If socks or tights are worn with capris, shorts, skorts, or skirts; the socks or tights must be white, black or navy blue. Hats may not be worn in the building. Accessories may not be distracting and must be appropriate to a learning environment.
Coats
Students may wear any style of coat that is not offensive and is appropriate to a learning environment. Coats may not be worn during class time.
Other Attire
Students may choose other attire such as backpacks, purses, etc. that is not offensive and is appropriate to a learning environment. These items are to be left in lockers and/or designated areas during school hours.
Consequences for Violation of Dress Code Policy
If a teacher/staff feels that a student has come to school inappropriately attired according to the Dress Code Policy, the teacher/staff will:
Send the student to the office staff in charge of executing the Dress Code Policy to make the determination if the student is in violation of the Dress Code. A form will be given to the teacher/staff explaining the ruling made.
If the office staff determines that the student has violated the Dress Code then:
- The office staff will call a parent to bring dress code appropriate clothing to the school. If a parent can not be reached, the student will be given Dress Code appropriate clothing to wear during the remainder of the day and a note will be sent home. Students will not be allowed to change into clothing stored at school in case they are caught breaking the dress code. The offense will be recorded in a log book by the office staff. Work missed while changing clothing will not be made up.
- For subsequent violations, a note will be sent home and the student will be required to compensate (not monetarily) for the time spent in dealing with his/her Dress Code violation and for the maintenance of the clothing provided for him/her.
- For the 5th violation, a meeting with the student, parent and principal will occur.
- For each additional violation, a 1 day “in school suspension” will occur; in which a parent or approved adult will accompany the student to school for the full day. The student will not be allowed back into school without parent or said adult. If the student misses school, make up work will not be allowed.