HS Uniform & Dress Code

Dress Code
In line with our school philosophy, the area of dress and social grace for young people is primarily a function of the home (parents).  We take into account five major factors regarding this area: (1) cultural standards are major variables; (2) individual and family standards vary widely; (3) some families leave this area of education up to the school; (4) the community, including those with children in the school, views the dress of the staff and students as a representation of the school; (5) varieties in dress and/or dress standards are not sin in and of themselves, although individuals may vary in their conviction (I Sam. 16:7, Rom. 14).  For these reasons, Firm Foundation Christian High School must have a clear, stipulated, manageable dress code.

In designing guidelines in the area of dress, we want to: (1) keep the responsibilities for clothing standards in the home as much as possible, (2) avoid identifying some particular dress style as the only Christian one, (3) encourage/teach students to respect authority and willingly submit to policies and higher authority regardless of whether the students personally agree with the policies or not, and (4) maintain modesty and professionalism in accordance with business casual recommendations in the business community.

HIGH SCHOOL ATTIRE

In an effort to create a respectful environment focused on learning, the following guidelines have been put in place regarding high school attire:

  • Denim jeans, denim skirts/jumpers/dresses with sleeves, and denim walking length shorts (skirts/jumpers/dresses and shorts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee)
  • Non-denim slacks, cords, cargo pants, and capris
  • Non-denim skirts, and dresses with sleeves (no shorter than 2 inches above the knee)
  • Non-denim walking length shorts (no shorter than 2 inches above the knee)
  • Dress, casual, or clean athletic shoes
  • Shirts and blouses, either plain or with appropriate logos/writing. (If you are unsure about an item, you may set up a meeting with the administrator to preview clothing items.)
  • Sweaters and zip-up sweatshirts with appropriate graphics, pictures, or other writing. (If you are unsure about an item, you may set up a meeting with the administrator to preview clothing items.)
  • Hair must be of a natural color and neatly groomed.  For males, hair should be no longer than the bottom of the shirt collar.
  • Jewelry must be in good taste and moderate. (See EARRINGS/PIERCINGS for further clarification.)
  • All logos, graphics, words/phrases or other writing must be appropriate for a Christian school environment, in other words, carry positive messages and be in line with Biblical standards.

EARRINGS/PIERCINGS

  • Earrings may not exceed 1½ inches below the bottom of the ear lobe.
  • One earring per ear for females and no earrings for males.
  • Ear jewelry beyond the standard earrings are not allowed:  plugs, gauges, claws, spikes, tusks, retainers, etc.
  • No other visible jewelry in body piercings is allowed at school.  For example, for facial piercings, a clear stud, no more than 1/8 inch in diameter, is allowed.

The administration reserves the right to determine appropriate clothing. Toward that end, these items are specifically not allowed at any time:

  • Non-fitted pants that sag or are baggy
  • Basketball shorts or “sports” shorts, track or sweat-style pants, yoga or exercise pants
  • Clothing with holes, tears or frayed seams
  • Dresses, skirts or slits shorter than two inches above the knee
  • Sleeveless shirts or blouses without a collar or without buttons (in other words, sleeveless shirts are allowed if they are button up and/or have a collar.  Sleeveless shirts are not tank tops, they have more coverage in the shoulder.)
  • Tight-fitting clothing of any sort (tops or bottoms) – there will be NO exceptions to this standard. Students wearing snug clothing will be sent to the clothing closet to get something appropriate to wear, or allowed to call home for a change of clothing.
  • Sheer or revealing clothing such as clothing that exposes the midriff when a hand is raised
  • Clothing that exposes cleavage (clothing must eliminate visible cleavage at all times,   in any position, including times when leaning over or bending down)
  • Undergarments cannot show out of or through clothing
  • Shirts that do not cover the waistband of all pants and skirts
  • Tank tops or strapless attire
  • Heels on shoes higher than 3½ inches
  • Head coverings (scarves, bandanas, etc.)
  • Visible tattoos (permanent or wash-off)
  • Accessories, logos, graphics, words/phrases or writing that contain racist remarks, suggestive language, profanity or subtle
  • Messages advocating group and/or drug/alcohol related activities, or sexual activities
  • Spike necklaces, bracelets, belts, etc., are not appropriate.
  • Sunglasses, hats and caps inside the classroom or at special events/assemblies
  • Students’ hair that covers eyes or limits vision
  • Certain graphics, including gargoyles, skulls, pirates, wizards, vampires, dragons, and other graphics of this nature
  • Leggings worn as pants or leggings worn with short skirts.  (Leggings may only be worn with skirts or dresses of the appropriate listed length).Sheer skirts/dresses that are long in length with a solid skirt underneath that is more than two inches above the knee.

CHAPEL DAY ATTIRE

Chapel day is a special day at Firm Foundation Christian School and as such, attire for the day shall follow professional/professional casual standards.

  • No jeans shall be worn
  • Boys shall wear collared shirts
  • Girls shall wear blouses or better (no plain T’s)
  • Skirts and dresses with sleeves and of the proper length are appropriate for chapel day
  • Dress pants, slacks, or Dockers/khakis are appropriate for chapel day
  • Sweatshirts and/or coats are not allowed at chapel

PE DRESS CODE

All high school students are required to “dress down” for PE classes.  The PE dress code is for physical education class only.  Students must change back into appropriate attire as soon as PE is over.  The following are the only approved PE options:

  • Navy or black only in: Shorts, Sweatpants and/or Track Pants (PE uniforms may be purchased through Land’s End, but it is not required)Plain Gray crew-neck T-shirts (PE uniforms may be purchased through Land’s End, but it’s not required.)  No V-neck or scoop neck t-shirts are allowed

SHOES FOR PE CLASSES:  Students are required to wear sturdy, fastened shoes appropriate for athletics to prevent possible injuries.  Tennis shoes are the preferred option for PE.  If possible, please have students wear white-soled shoes for PE to protect our gym floor.  Even some colored-soled shoes that state “non-marking” on the shoe box will still leave marks.

*Students not in compliance with the dress code will receive a verbal warning, and parents may be called to bring a change of clothes. If a student receives 3 warnings, that student will lose the privilege of wearing non-uniform clothing for a period of at least 3 weeks.