Secondary School Standards For Dress

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SECONDARY SCHOOL STANDARDS FOR DRESS


Goals:  Heritage Christian Academy is dedicated to training young men and women to become self-disciplined members of the body of Christ.  Each student and staff member shares the responsibility of developing and exhibiting a school spirit that honors our Lord Jesus Christ.   The way a student dresses reflects the respect he or she has toward the Academy, their peers and those placed in authority.  Regardless of their personality or the profession they choose, all students are preparing to be examples in their family, community and church as well.  In keeping with this philosophy, students are asked to exercise discretion in their clothing choices.

The overall goal of the dress code policy is to encourage HCA students towards NEATNESS and MODESTY.  Working toward these goals through a dress code rather than a uniform system intentionally leaves students a greater measure of individual choice.  Modesty is our greatest challenge in establishing clear goals and consistent reinforcement.  HCA policy attempts to be very clear about appropriate boundaries.  However, there may be gray areas.  As young adults, our students have freedom in personal choice but can expect that choosing immodest attire may result in a polite request to change attire at school.  As a general rule, an outfit a parent or student questions at home is generally best left at home.

Defining Modesty:  This is a challenging issue due to differing body types and fashions. To keep it simple and easy to assess, skirts, shorts, straps and necklines should all pass the “three finger test,” that is, a student should have no more than three finger widths from the top of the kneecap to the hem of the skirt or shorts, at least three finger widths for exposed straps and no more than three finger widths from collarbone to neckline.  For ladies, no cleavage should be showing and no midriffs revealed at any time, regardless of posture.

Daily School Attire:

Young Men and Women Grades 6-12

1. Pants.  Neat blue jeans are permitted on both Casual Fridays (every week unless indicated otherwise by the Administration to accommodate special events or exceptions) and on special dress-down days (as announced by the administration).  Students may also have opportunities to win additional jeans days in friendly competition or to purchase them in support of special support opportunities (such as the Mission Trip). Cargos, khakis, corduroys and slacks are examples of good every day options.  Frayed, torn or ripped pants, noticeably worn or faded pants, excessively baggy or tight pants, and drawstring or elastic waist pants are outside boundaries for “neat.”  Wind and sweat pants are reserved for home and athletic wear.

2. Shirts.  HCA long- and short-sleeved spirit wear may be worn at any time with the exception of current-year sports team warm ups and jerseys Other athletic styled and logo t-shirts are reserved for home or athletic wear. 

3. Sweaters and Sweatshirts.  Young men and women may wear neat sweaters, track jackets and hoodies.  HCA sweatshirts may be worn at any time.  Athletic fleece is permitted for hoodies along with popular fabrics such as polar fleece, french terry, jersey knits, and neat thermal knits.

4. Screen Prints and Logos. Neat knits with screen-printed designs are permitted except for images with words, negative themes, or pop culture icons.  Please use discretion.  Logos other than HCA are reserved for home or athletic wear.  Visible name brand logos that are three inches or smaller are permitted.

5. Shorts.  All of September and all of May are approved as shorts days at students' discretion (unless indicated otherwise by the Administration to accommodate special events or exceptions).  At other times, when the weather is expected to be exceptionally warm, the Administration may declare additional shorts days.  For both young men and women, shorts should comply with the “three finger test.”  Neat athletic shorts that meet length guidelines are permitted. Jean shorts are permitted on Casual Fridays.

6. Hair. Natural colors are acceptable, including blonding for both men and women.  Extreme styles or colorings may require adjustments.

7. Hats and sunglasses are for outdoor wear only.

8. Camouflage is for home or athletic wear only.

9. Fragrances. Please be considerate of those who are affected by strong smells and suffer from fragrance induced allergies by refraining from wearing bold fragrances at school. 

Young Men

1. Pants. Young men should wear pants that are clean and in good condition.  Belts are not required providing that pants are well-fitting and underwear is not exposed.

2. Shirts.  Shirts may be worn untucked (unless indicated otherwise by the Administration to accommodate special events or exceptions).  Neat Henley shirts or dressy knits with neatly bound necklines without collars are acceptable dress code attire.  A-shirts and tanks are reserved for home only. 

3. Underwear should always be completely covered.

4. Hair. Hair may be styled to the student's preference as long as hair is trimmed at or above the eyebrows in the front and to collar-length or above in the back.  Eyes must be clearly visible.  Students whose hair is unkempt will be asked to get a haircut.  Neatly trimmed facial hair is permitted.

5. Jewelry. Jewelry will be modest and in good taste. Any adornments requiring piercings must be removed for school attire.

Young Women

1. Pants. Young women should wear pants which are clean and in good condition.  Careful selection of pants that are appropriately modest when seated, as well as when standing, is important.  There should be no skin exposed on the lower back when ladies are seated.  Pants (gauchos, capris or otherwise) are defined as falling several inches below the kneecap to just above the floor.  Bermudas (knee length shorts) are reserved for shorts days.

2. Dresses and skirts.  Skirts should comply with the “three finger test” including those worn with leggings.  Revealing slits should be avoided.  Denim skirts, jumpers and dresses are appropriate.

3. Tops. In keeping with modesty, young women may choose tops that are not form fitting and are loose fitting enough that the outline of undergarments is not accentuated.  Shirt length should insure that no matter what posture is assumed, skin is not exposed in the abdomen or lower back.  Strappy tanks, off-the-shoulder styles and over-exposed necklines are not acceptable.  Sleeveless shirts and necklines should meet the “three finger” criteria.   No cleavage should be revealed, regardless of posture.

4. Sheer Fabrics. Garments that are sheer or lacy must have a layer underneath that meets all dress code standards.  A student may be requested to cover or replace an item of clothing that is inappropriate.  Undergarments should never be exposed. 

5. Cosmetics used sparingly that present a conservative look are appropriate.

6. Jewelry. Jewelry will be modest and in good taste. Pierced jewelry should be limited to ears only. Any other jewelry requiring piercing must be removed for school attire.

Just For Fun Days…

HCA Administration will provide students with dress down days on occasion, designated as extra jeans days, spirit days, or special occasion theme days.  Students will receive notice via homeroom announcements and the HCA website.  Dress code applies for the rest of a student's attire unless specifically noted.

Your principal or deans are your resources for dress code questions.  Feel free to call us for clarification.