Policies

HOLY NAMES ACADEMY DRESS CODE

Holy Names Academy seeks to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.  The way students and faculty are dressed and groomed contributes to the tone of serious study.  The school dress code is based on modesty, neatness, cleanliness, good taste, and safety.  In addition, students are to be noticeably better dressed for school than for play or informal activities.  The following specific guidelines are in effect during regular school hours.  For special occasions, appropriate school personnel may announce school-wide exceptions to any of these guidelines.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

The following general guidelines are in effect each regular dress, dress-up, or denim day.  In all situations, students should dress in a manner that is modest and appropriate for the school setting.

• Clothing should be in good repair:  no holes, tears, frayed ends, or other signs of excessive wear.

• Skirts, dresses, and shorts must be no more than four inches above the knee and properly hemmed.  Only walking-style shorts are allowed.  Cutoffs of any kind are not acceptable.  Slits in skirts must meet the same length guidelines, extending no more than four inches above the knee.

• Blouses and shirts must reach the waistband of the lower garment.  At no time may the midriff show.  No off-the-shoulder or bare-backed tops are permitted.

• Dressy or formal tank tops and sundresses must have straps, cover undergarments, and preserve modesty.

• Halter tops, spaghetti-strap tops, and tops that resemble lingerie or undergarments must be worn under a sweater, blouse, or jacket throughout the entire school day and must meet the school guidelines of modesty and good taste.

• Pants and shorts may not include anything intended for exercise or sleep.  None of the following are permitted:  sweatpants or warm-ups of any kind (including cotton sweats, swishy warm-ups, breakaway warm-ups), Polartec or fleece, yoga pants, pajama bottoms, boxer shorts, longjohns, sports shorts, sweat shorts, or spandex.

• Leggings may only be worn with tops, skirts, or dresses that are no more than four inches above the knee.

• Blue, black, and gray denim pants or shorts may be worn only on designated denim days.  “Denim” includes regular, faded, or over-dyed denim fabric, and includes any pants that replicate blue jeans.

• Writing on clothing must be appropriate for the school environment.  Writing added to attire after its purchase is not acceptable.

• Shoes must be worn in the school building and on the school grounds.  Students are responsible for their choice of safe shoes and are encouraged to choose shoes that are appropriate for climbing stairs.  Slippers are prohibited.  To preserve our wood floors, heels on shoes must be at least 3/4-inch in diameter.

• Hair styles, hair color, and makeup should be moderate and appropriate for school.  Hairstyles, hair color, and makeup that are meant to draw attention to the individual or are noticeably different are unacceptable.  Unnatural hair coloring is not permitted.                    

SPECIAL DAYS

Designated Dress-Up Days, Including Liturgy Days

• Dresses, skirts, or nice pants are required. 

Designated Denim Days

• Students may wear blue, black, or gray denim pants or shorts.

Designated Sweats Days (for example: Jogathon, semester exams)

• Students may wear sweat pants or warm-ups.  No yoga pants or pajamas.

NOT ACCEPTABLE

• Visible, detectable, adorned body piercing (other than on the ears), such as lip, tongue, eyebrow, or nose piercing, is not acceptable.  Ear piercings must be modest and in good taste.  Body-piercing objects covered with Band-Aids are not acceptable.  Students found wearing any such objects will be asked to remove them or will be sent home.

• Visible, permanent tattoos.

• Sunglasses.

• Hats or headgear such as visors or hoods.

• Exercise or sleepwear pants or shorts, as described above.  Exception:  sweat pants or warm-ups are permitted on designated sweats days.

ENFORCEMENT

A student who arrives in class out of dress code will be sent to the office of the Vice Principal of Student Life or other available administrator.  A student may not return to class until she meets dress code.  The student will have two options:

• Choose from the alternative clothing available in the office of the Vice Principal of Student Life.  The student must return the clothing by first period the next day in order to be admitted to class.

• Call parents to bring acceptable clothing to school immediately.

Last updated: February 2010