The dress code is established to promote a positive, psychologically safe, and appropriate learning environment. A student’s appearance, including dress and hygiene, must not disrupt the educational process, compromise the standards of health and safety, or contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for anyone. District 15 believes the responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parent/guardian(s). 

District 15’s student dress code supports equitable educational access and avoids reinforcing stereotypes or increasing the marginalization of any group based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, disability (or other related accommodation), or cultural observance. The District does not prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists, or any other protected classes under Board Policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities. 

However, reasonable dress restrictions must be necessary to support the overall educational goals of the school and are outlined within this dress code. Students who disrupt the educational process or compromise standards of health and safety must modify their appearance. See Board Policy 7:160, Student Appearance. 

Basic Principle:

All attire (including clothes and accessories) must cover private areas with non-transparent fabric. This ensures private body parts are covered for all students and faces are visible to school staff at all times.

Students Must Wear:

• A top/shirt with fabric in the front, back, sides, and under the arms

• A bottom, such as pants, sweatpants, shorts, skirts, dresses, leggings, or skorts; and

• Footwear that covers the bottom of the foot, including but not limited to, sandals, gym shoes, flip flops, and boots. Anything with wheels or blades are not allowed.

Except as required in class or principal-designated activities or extracurricular programs, all attire (including clothes and accessories) may not include:

• Language or images depicting or promoting drugs or alcohol, drug paraphernalia, gang symbols/identification, any illegal item or activity, hate speech, bigotry, profanity, pornography, or other inappropriate images

• Lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols

• Anything that can be used as a weapon, including but not limited to, sharp points, studs, spikes, metal bars, knives, razors, leashes, nooses, or clubs

• Hats, hoods, helmets, or head coverings that cover the face, except when worn as a religious, cultural, medical, or disability-related need or accommodation

• Sunglasses 

Dress Code Enforcement

District 15 is committed to collaboratively working with families to ensure students can meet dress code expectations. That said, students whose dress and/or appearance causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health and safety of the student, other students, staff, visitors, and our community may be subject to discipline. Students in violation will be referred to school administration and will be given options to comply with dress code policies. Administrators and designated staff will make final decisions about appropriate dress and appearance.

No student should be disproportionately affected by dress code enforcement because of gender identity or expression, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, cultural or religious identity, body size, body maturity, and/or household income.