DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS
Appearance matters in the way we present ourselves to others and to our own self-perception. The school needs the support of the parents in monitoring the appropriateness of their children’s attire before they leave for school each morning. The school does not condone styles of dress that interfere with the safety of the students, that denigrate the values of the school, or that distract from the learning process.
Objectives
The Out-of-Door Academy’s dress code is designed to promote a proper academic environment which is different from places designed for casual recreation or entertainment & the school will:
1) Support our mission of establishing “an environment in which students strive to achieve
academic excellence and to build character through a balanced program of academics, arts, and athletics;”
2) Help students develop a sense of personal pride, confidence, and self-esteem.
3) Contribute to an atmosphere of safety where students may express themselves in ways
independent of clothing style.
Middle and Upper School
Appearance matters in the way we present ourselves to others and our own self-perception. The school needs the support of the parents in monitoring the appropriateness of their children’s attire before they leave for school each morning. The school does not condone styles of dress that interfere with the safety of the students, that denigrate the values of the school, or that distract from the learning process.
Objectives
The Out-of-Door Academy’s dress code is designed to promote a proper academic environment that is different from places designed for casual recreation or entertainment. The school will:
1) Support our mission of establishing “an environment in which students strive to achieve academic excellence and to build character through a balanced program of academics, athletics, and the arts;”
2) Help students develop a sense of personal pride, confidence, and self-esteem.
3) Contribute to an atmosphere of safety where students may express themselves in ways independent of clothing style.
Grades 6-7
Students in grades 6-7 wear The Out-of-Door Academy school uniform tops. All students are expected to be neat and clean. Although khakis may be purchased elsewhere, all apparel with the Out-of-Door Academy logo must be purchased from Lands’ End, the official uniform supplier.
1) Knit polo uniform shirt (navy or white) with The Out-of-Door Academy logo. All shirts must be worn tucked into trousers. Shirts must be of a size to fit reasonably across the shoulders and be long enough to remain tucked.
2) Khaki shorts or pants (must fit at the waist and must be knee length or longer).
Girls may wear capris, but no skirts, skorts, or dresses are allowed (except on special dress code days).
3) Cargo pants are acceptable as long as they are not too loose or too tight in fit and pocketsize is not exaggerated.
4) An Out-of-Door Academy or college sweatshirt may be worn over collared shirts for warmth.
5) Students may wear sweaters over collared shirts for warmth. The sweaters may be of any color. If they are branded, the brands must be Out-of-Door Academy or a college.
6) Shoes with closed toes and backs only. Athletic shoes are allowed.
7) Students must wear belts
Grade 8
For 2012-13, students in grade 8 do not have to wear The Out-of-Door Academy school uniform tops.
1) 8th grade students will wear polo shirts or oxford button-down shirts. All shirts must be worn tucked into
trousers. Shirts must be of a size to fit reasonably across the shoulders and be long enough to remain tucked.
• By definition a polo shirt is a knitted cotton shirt with collar and three-button opening at the neck.
• By definition an oxford shirt has buttons from the neckline to the bottom of the shirt and a turned collar.
• Denim is an unacceptable material for any shirt.
• Shirts will be buttoned to the collarbone, and the shirt should be loose enough to it can be buttoned to the
collarbone without the material pulling or stretching
2) Khaki shorts or pants (must fit at the waist and must be knee length or longer). Girls may wear capris, but no
skirts, skorts, or dresses are allowed (except on special dress code days).
3) Cargo pants are acceptable as long as they are not too loose or too tight in fit and pocketsize is not exaggerated.
4) Students may wear sweaters over collared shirts for warmth. The sweaters may be of any color. If they are branded, the brands must be Out-of-Door Academy or a college.
5) An Out-of-Door Academy or college sweatshirt may be worn over collared shirts for warmth.
6) Shoes with closed toes and backs only. Athletic shoes are allowed.
7) Students must wear belts.
Note for All Middle School Students:
Boys’ hair must be above the collar and out of the eyes.
Extreme or distracting haircuts are not permitted.
Both girls and boys hair must be a natural color.
Boys may not wear earrings.
With the exception of earrings for girls, no visible piercing is permitted.
No hats or bandanas may be worn indoors.
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES FOR GRADES 6-8
Used uniforms are available at school for those students not dressed in uniform. Parents may be called. Repeated offenses may result in detentions or further disciplinary action.
Grades 9-12
Unless a special dress code exception is indicated, the dress code is:
1) All students will wear polo shirts, oxford button-down shirts, or blouses with a turned collar.
• By definition a polo shirt is a knitted cotton shirt with collar and three-button opening at the neck.
• By definition an oxford shirt has buttons from the neckline to the bottom of the shirt and a turned collar.
• By definition a blouse is a loose-fitting shirt that hangs to the waist or below with sleeves and a turned collar.
• Students must be able to button shirts to the collarbone without material pulling or stretching.
• Shirts must have sleeves and remain tucked with arms raised above head so that no midriff shows.
• Denim is an unacceptable material for any shirt.
2) An Out-of-Door Academy or college sweatshirt may be worn over collared shirts for warmth.
3) Pants, including capri pants, are acceptable for school wear.
• Pants must be dress or casual dress material (e.g., chinos, khakis, or corduroy).
• Pants must be a solid color (e.g. khaki, blue, black). All colors are acceptable except white.
• Cargo pants are acceptable as long as they are not too loose or too tight in fit and pocketsize is not
exaggerated.
• No spandex/stretch leggings, jeggings, cotton jersey material (yoga pants), or athletic material is acceptable for
pants.
• No classic, blue denim of any kind is permitted.
• Belts must be worn with all pants.
4) Walking shorts are acceptable for school wear.
• By definition walking shorts are loose fitting and have a hemline that falls at the knee, not above the knee.
• Shorts must be a solid color (e.g. khaki, blue, black). All colors are acceptable except white.
• Cargo shorts are acceptable as long as they are not too loose or too tight in fit and pocketsize is not
exaggerated.
• No spandex/stretch leggings, jeggings, cotton jersey material (yoga pants), or athletic material is acceptable for
pants.
• No classic, blue denim of any kind is permitted.
• Belts must be worn with all shorts.
5) The expectation is that no undergarments will be visible at any time, including tank tops, camisoles, brassieres,
underwear, or compression shorts.
6) Skirts and dresses are not acceptable for school wear.
7) Only dress shoes, casual dress shoes and athletic shoes are acceptable. For safety concerns, open-toed shoes,
clogs, Crocs, and “slippers” are unacceptable.
8) Hats of any kind may not be worn inside the buildings.
9) All clothing must be in good repair and properly fitted (no clothing that is too tight or too loose).
10) Hair should be neatly combed, out of the face, of a natural color, and styled in a conventional manner. For boys hair must be above the collar.
11) Except for appropriate earrings, visible body piercings or tattoos are unacceptable. Students will be required to
cover inappropriate piercings or tattoos with a neutral color band-aid during the academic day.
12) Facial hair is prohibited unless special permission is granted by the Dean of Students. If a student is found in
violation of this, he will be asked to shave immediately.
EXCEPTIONS
Dress-up Days
Throughout the year, there are special events that warrant dressing up. For young men this means dress pants, dress shirt, tie, and belt. For young women this means pant suit, dress, or skirt and blouse. No strapless dresses, and skirt/dress hems must fall at the knee. Footwear should appropriately reflect the occasion. These days include but are not limited to Commencement, awards assemblies, honor programs, picture day, and holiday celebrations.
Dress-down Days
Throughout the year, there are special events that warrant dressing down. Shorts and pants must be of appropriate dress code length; midriff, tank, or spaghetti strap tops are not allowed; cutoff or torn clothing is not allowed; clothing must be clean, in good taste and not be see-through or too tight.
Spirit Days
Spirit days will be announced in advance and are a dress code exception to promote school spirit and draw attention to certain athletic, artistic, or school-wide events that may be taking place. Spirit days require dress code approved pants or shorts coupled with any ODA issued shirt, including t-shirts and collared shirts in good repair and with unaltered appearances (e.g. Homecoming t-shirts, ODA polos, Spirit Day t-shirts, athletic team issued t-shirts, theatre production t-shirts). This does not include athletic uniform shirts that are too tight, sleeveless, or inappropriate for wear during the academic day (e.g. volleyball or basketball uniform tops or cheer-leading uniforms). In addition, individual advisory Turkey Bowl t-shirts are not appropriate for Spirit days.
Note: The final decision as to the appropriateness of any attire rests with the faculty and administration. Students found to be in violation will not be permitted to attend class until they can change into appropriate attire.
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES IN GRADES 9 THROUGH 12
In the event that a teacher or administrator decides a student’s attire is in egregious violation of the school dress code, that student must immediately go to the Dean of Students. The student will be asked to change into appropriate attire or may be asked to wear clothing that the school has on hand for such infractions. In addition, a call home will inform parents they are to pick up their child’s clothing at their earliest convenience from the Dean of Students.
UPPER SCHOOL
Students found to be in violation of the dress code standards will be issued a dress code detention to be served immediately after school. Three additional dress code detentions result in a Saturday detention on a Saturday designated by the Dean of Students. Every three subsequent dress code violations result in Saturday detentions with additional disciplinary action taken if a student refuses to comply with the dress code.
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