Dress Code Benefits
The Polk County School Board has a mandatory dress code for all elementary and middle school students. There are many positive reasons for a school dress code, including:
- A dress code encourages students to express their individuality through personality and academic achievements, not outward appearances
- A dress code puts the focus on academics, not fashion, because they project a neat, serious, businesslike image
- Schools with dress codes have fewer discipline problems because students aren't distracted
- Dress codes can be less expensive
- Dress codes eliminate the visible differences between needy and wealthy children
- Dress codes eliminate pressure to wear brand name clothing, "gang colors," etc.
- Dress codes create a sense of school pride and belonging
Listing of Acceptable Clothing
Traditional (non-winter) Dress Code
The Uniform Dress Code does not allow for clothing with colored trim, stripes, embroidery, decoration, etc. It also does not provide for overalls (overalls with pants or shorts), sweat pants, knit pants/skirts, leggings, etc.
Bottoms: Navy, khaki/tan or black
- shorts, pants, skorts, skirts, skirted jumpers
- must be plain, solid-color twill, corduroy or denim fabric
Tops: White or navy with collar
- must have long or short sleeves
- knit polo-type or woven dress shirts, blouses, turtlenecks
- School t-shirts are OK (available thru the school office)
- Every school may add another collared shirt color.
Other dress code rules:
- a belt is required if the garment has belt loops
- shirts (including t-shirts) must be tucked in
- shorts/skirts must be mid-thigh or longer
- clothing or footwear that is construed by the principal or designee as hazardous or dangerous to the health of the student or others can be prohibited
- clothes must be appropriate size, with waist of garment worn at student's waist clothing that is too tight or too loose is not appropriate for school
- a small logo is acceptable
- School administrators will determine if clothing is appropriate for school and complies with district rules.
Winter/Cold Weather
On very cold days, students who walk, bike, etc. may need to wear sweatpants, etc. over their school clothes on their way to/from school. However, any clothing that doesn’t meet dress code requirements must be removed before school begins.
Jackets, sweaters, coats, etc.
Any kind of jacket/coat/cardigan is OK if it meets regular dress code** rules
- May not be disruptive, distracting, display offensive language/symbols, etc.
- School staff may ask students to remove jackets
- Any pullover garment that is worn all day (sweater, sweater vest, sweatshirt) should:
- have a collar OR be worn with a collared uniform shirt or official school t-shirt underneath
- must be solid white, solid navy or the school’s additional solid shirt color (school sweatshirts with no hoods are OK)
- must not have any colored trim, stripes, decoration, etc. (small logos are OK)
*Applies to all Elementary and Middle School students
**Polk County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct, Section 2.10, E.5.F. (Elementary); Section 2.09, E.5.F. (Secondary)
