LEOPARD NATION - DRESS CODE 2024-2025
D.S. PARROTT MIDDLE SCHOOL


Administration has the final authority to decide if clothing items and accessories comply with the dress code policy.

Clothing is to support the professional academic atmosphere of a school. Attire must not be disruptive or cause a distraction to the learning environment.  Illuminated clothing, illuminated accessories, costume-like apparel, costume-like clothing, and costume-like accessories are not permitted. Undergarments are NOT to be visible.

Students’ Rights - Students have the right to dress comfortably in a way appropriate to the school setting.

Students’ Responsibilities - Students have the responsibility to dress in a non-offensive manner to others that is compliant with school, classroom, and extracurricular rules.

 A. SUN PROTECTIVE WEAR – Students will be allowed to wear sunglasses, hats with visors, or other sun-protective items when outdoors while engaged in school-related activities such as physical education or recess. No head coverings, hats, or sunglasses (unless prescribed by a physician) are to be worn in the school building or hallways. HOODIES ARE NOT TO BE WORN ON THE HEAD ANYWHERE ON CAMPUS. Upon the first violation, hoodies will be traded for a t-shirt for the remainder of the day.

B. PANTS – Pants are to be worn at the waist, not below the waist, or in such a way as to expose undergarments or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner, or in a manner that disrupts the orderly learning environment. RIPS ARE ALLOWED, starting from a certain height. To determine the appropriate rip height: while a student is standing straight with his/her shoulders relaxed, and arms fully extended at the side of his/her legs, the rips should start below the student’s longest fingertip. ANY RIP ABOVE THE SPECIFIED LEVEL MUST HAVE A PERMANENTLY INSTALLED PIECE OF FABRIC MATERIAL TO COVER THE SKIN. Spandex pants, leggings, yoga pants, jeggings, biker shorts, see-through items, pajamas, and other bedroom attire are not allowed. All pants must be a solid color; all patterns are prohibited.

C. SHIRTS AND BLOUSES – Must be long enough that no skin is visible even with arms raised. Blouses with a neckline that dips below the line formed between the right and left armpit are prohibited. Spaghetti straps, tank tops, crop tops, muscle shirts, and shirts with cut-off sleeves are also prohibited.

D. SHORTS, SKIRTS, AND DRESSES – All shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at the specified length or longer. To determine if shorts, skirts, and dresses are too short: while a student is standing straight with his/her shoulders relaxed, and arms fully extended at the side of his/her legs, the shorts, skirts, or dresses should reach to the student’s longest fingertip while touching the material, not skin. Dresses with a neckline that dips below the line formed between the left and right armpit are prohibited. Spandex shorts or biker shorts may NOT be worn.

E. UNACCEPTABLE ATTIRE – Any apparel, tattoo, or marking that is determined inappropriate, disruptive to the educational environment, or considered offensive to good taste by the principal or designee of the school is prohibited. Inappropriate attire includes any jewelry that presents a safety or health hazard such as spiked jewelry or accessories; costume accessories, wallet chains, or dog chains; or bandanas worn, displayed or carried onto campus. Unacceptable tattoos or markings that are permanent must be covered. Any inappropriate manner of grooming, which by color arrangement, trademark, or other attributes denotes membership in a gang, advocates drugs, tobacco products, alcohol, violence, sexual innuendo, profanity, or has caused disruption is also prohibited.

F. FOOTWEAR – Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the specific learning environment. Tennis shoes are recommended in most settings throughout the school. Tennis shoes are REQUIRED for participation in P.E. Flip flops, costume shoes, or house/bath slippers are NOT to be worn on campus. Note: Students enrolled in vocational/technical/lab classes may be required to wear clothing appropriate to the specific training in which students could be participating.