Proposed Dress Code Policy
The Board will be taking public comment now through the board meeting on February 9th in regards to the following proposed dress code policy.
We establish a dress code for Xavier Charter School primarily to support the tenets of a Classical Education and provide appropriate ways for students to express themselves within the three schools: Grammar (Grades K-4), Logic (grades 5-8) and Rhetoric (grades 9-12). Students are also reminded that their appearance (clothing and grooming) significantly affects the way others respond to them. Matters of dress remain the primary responsibility of students, in consultation with their parents or legal guardians. Xavier Charter School will provide an educational atmosphere conducive to learning, minimize disruptions or distractions, and strive to protect the health, safety, and morals of its students.
Minimum Standards
Students of Xavier Charter School will adhere to the following minimum standards of dress when the student is on the school premises or at any school sponsored activity, regardless of location:
- Students are not to wear or carry items of apparel (clothing, accessories, cosmetics, tattoos, jewelry—including body piercing) which depict or allude to, by picture, symbol or word, drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, gangs, violence, sexually explicit, lewd, indecent or offensive material, or illegal acts.
- The wearing, using, or displaying of any gang clothing or attire (based upon the lead teacher/Head of School’s reasonable belief that gangs may be present in the school) jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, codes or other things which evidence membership or affiliation in any gang is prohibited on the school premises or at any school sponsored activity, regardless of location.
- Shirts must have a modest neckline (no cleavage) and be long enough to cover the midriff (front and back). No backless, strapless, or half tops are to be worn.
- Clothes must conceal undergarments (boxers, thongs, undergarment straps, etc.) at all times. No see-through, excessively tight, or revealing attire is permitted.
- Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee when seated.
- Pants must be worn at hip-level or higher (no excessive bagging or sagging).
- No pajamas, slippers, or sleepwear of any kind is allowed.
- Unless the Lead Teachers or Head of School indicate otherwise, students will wear footwear at all times. No open toed shoes, including flip flops or sandals, may be worn at school.
- Head coverings are inappropriate in the school building during regular school hours, unless the Lead Teachers or Head of School specifically make an exception to the policy.
- Visible body piercing or magnetic/glued jewelry on face, eyes, arms, hands, tongue, and feet is prohibited. A maximum of two piercings in each ear are allowed. Spikes, chains, wallet chains, studs, bolts, dog collars, needles, pins, sharp objects, or other jewelry deemed unsafe is not allowed at school.
- Extreme make-up is not allowed (i.e. full face painting or “goth” makeup).
- Hair should be clean, neat in appearance and naturally colored. Facial hair is not allowed.
- All tattoos (permanent or temporary) must be covered.
Dress Code for Grammar School (Grades K-4)
1. Clothing
1. Approved colors and styles
1. Bottoms
1. ‘Khaki’ style pants, Capri’s, shorts, skorts, jumpers or skirts are navy blue, black or khaki tan. The cuff of the pants may not drag on the ground. Hemlines for skirts, skorts, shorts and jumpers are within 3 inches above the knee when sitting.
2. No denim material of any color.
3. Stockings/leggings may be solid or patterned.
2. Tops
1. Basic school shirts are solid navy blue, light blue, royal blue, white, gray or maroon. They may be short or long sleeved Polo’s, Oxfords, turtlenecks, or any other type of collared shirt (not t-shirts). 2. Any shirt may be worn as a layer underneath the basic shirt as long as it is also one of the basic colors (solid navy blue, light blue, royal blue, white, gray or maroon). T-shirts and camisoles are acceptable as a layer underneath as long as a collared shirt is worn over it.
3. Basic school shirts may also be over-layered with solid navy blue, light blue, royal blue, white, gray or maroon sweaters, sweatshirts or vests.
4. Shirts designed with shirt-tails are to be tucked into the waist band.
5. Clothing (t-shirts, sweatshirts, vests...) issued by officially sanctioned organizations of Xavier Charter School, such as the PFA, NHS, Ski Club, etc., may be of any color, pattern, or design as long as they adhere to the basic minimum dress code standards as determined by the Head of School.
3. Shoes
1. Closed-toe shoes.
2. Shoes may be of any color or pattern as long as they meet the minimum standards.
4. Accessories
1. Belts are solid colors of black, brown, tan or navy.
2. Modest appropriate jewelry.
5. Outerwear
1. Clothing worn for warmth is removed while inside and put in a designated spot.
2. Outerwear may be of any color or pattern as long as it is removed while the student is inside.
2. Clothing is gender appropriate.
Dress Code for Logic School (Grades 5-8)
Students in the Logic School will adhere to the dress code for the Grammar school with the following additions or changes:
1. Bottoms
1. Dresses may be worn by female students as long as they are a solid color.
2. Socks, tights, or nylons may be worn.
2. Tops
1. Basic school shirts must still be a collared shirt but may be any solid color.
2. Shirts worn as a layer underneath may also be any color.
3. Sweaters and vests worn over the basic school shirt may be any solid color.
3. Accessories
1. Students may wear ties and scarves of any color or pattern as long as they adhere to the minimum standards.
Dress Code for Rhetoric School (Grades 9-12)
Students in the Rhetoric School will adhere to a “Business Casual” dress code. To help students define “Business Casual”, the following descriptions are made:
1. Bottoms
a. “Khaki” slacks that are similar to Dockers, wool pants, dressy capris, and nice looking dress pants are acceptable. Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, pajama bottoms, short shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking (unless a student is wearing these items as part of their teacher-approved attire for a specific class)
b. Casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for the classroom. Mini-skirts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the classroom.
2. Tops
Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, polo shirts, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for school. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are also acceptable attire as long as they violate none of the minimum standards. Inappropriate attire for school includes tank tops, halter-tops, sweatshirts, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress.
Please note:
- Denim is not acceptable unless an exception is made by the Rhetoric Lead Teacher or the Head of School and then only on very rare occasions.
- Rhetoric School students may wear any type of clothing that is acceptable for Grammar or Logic School students
- Shoes must be close toed
Interpretation and Implementation of Policy
The Lead Teachers/Head of School and faculty shall use reasonable discretion in interpreting and implementing the provisions of this policy. If a conflict arises in the interpretation of this policy, the interpretation of the Head of School shall be final.
Enforcement
Teachers and administrators may deny class entrance to students dressed or otherwise adorned in violation of this policy until arrangements may be made for their proper attire. Dress code must be followed during lunch time regardless of whether or not a student has just come from or will soon go to a dance/PE class. If a student misses more than 10 minutes from any class for failure to adhere to this policy, it will be deemed an unexcused absence for that class period. Parents or guardians will be notified each time a student is asked to leave class because of inappropriate attire. Students who are insubordinate or refuse to change the improper attire, or who repeatedly violate the dress code shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion, depending on all the facts and circumstances, for violating the standards of student conduct.
Temporary Exceptions
In order to allow appropriate attire for a particular educational or school activity, the Lead Teachers or Head of School have the authority to grant temporary exceptions to specific provisions of this policy and related regulations. An example of such an exception might be where a specially scheduled school event requires a group of students to dress unusually on a particular day.
To send comments or suggestions to the Board, use the form below.
Paraprofessional Openings
We are currently hiring for paraprofessionals. Interested persons may download an application here or pick up an application packet at the school office.
