KHCS Dress Code

Below is the official dress code for Kestrel Heights Charter School:

KHS believes that a uniform dress code is an important part of a safe, orderly school environment where the focus is on our scholars learning how to become respectful, responsible young citizens. The policy allows for some scholarly choice, yet establishes parameters for an acceptable dress. Scholars at KHS should be in the “dress code” from the time they arrive at school until they leave campus for the day.  

All scholars are expected to be in the dress code and to adjust their attire to be in the dress code when asked by a staff member. If a scholar is unwilling or unable to be in dress code attire, school staff will call the parent/guardian to bring proper dress code attire. If the parent does not provide appropriate clothing (within a responsible time) the scholar will be subject to disciplinary action.

3.1 – Uniform Components

Uniform components may be purchased at any retailer. Some popular retailers among our families include French Toast, Wal-Mart, Old Navy, Target, Children’s Place, and Amazon. The PTA also maintains a clothing closet and hosts an annual uniform exchange where families may acquire gently used uniform components for free. Please see the table below for a description of appropriate uniform components and photo examples.

Bottoms and Dresses:

  • Pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, or jumpers are permitted in the following colors: tan/khaki, black, or navy blue
  • Polo dresses are permitted in the following colors: black, solid white, navy blue, gray, or primary red
  • Leggings or tights are permitted underneath a skirt, dress, or shorts of dress code requirements in the following colors: black, solid white, navy blue, or primary red
  • Shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, or dresses must be no shorter than the tips of the scholars’ fingers when arms are down straight by the sides of the body
  • A belt or elastic is required if pants, shorts, skorts, or skirts sag below the natural waistline and/or low enough to make undergarments visible
  • The following materials are not permitted: denim material, sweatpant material, “shiny” nylon material, or knit/legging material

Shirts:

  • Pullover, button polo shirts with long or short sleeves are permitted in the following colors: solid white, black, primary red, gray, or navy blue
  • Polos with logos beside a KHS logo are not permitted (a KHS logo is not required, but permitted if desired
  • Shirts are not required to be tucked in, but the hem of any untucked shirt should fall below the belt loops and above the end of the zipper of pants/skirt (shirts should not be cropped or excessively long)
  • Shirts should be buttoned up enough to be appropriate for the educational setting (the building Director will have final discretion in determining appropriateness; shirts should not be revealing)
  • The following shirts are not permitted: any shirt with a store/designer logo, button-down shirts, t-shirts
  • KHS shirts, t-shirts,  sweatshirts, and other KHS top apparel may be worn.
  • “Homemade” KHS attire and/or altered KHS attire (sleeves cut off, writing on shirts, etc.) are not permitted.

Sweatshirts and Sweaters:

  • Sweatshirts, cardigans, sweaters, full or half-zip sweatshirts, or fleece layers are permitted in the following colors: solid white, black, primary red, navy blue, or gray
  • Sweatshirts/sweaters with logos beside a KHS logo are not permitted (KHS logo is not required, but permitted if desired)
  • Sweatshirts/sweaters must be a solid color (with the exception of KHS logos/designs)Hoods on sweatshirts or sweaters may not be worn up over the
  • scholar’s head at any time during the school day; if a scholar refuses to comply they will be asked to remove their sweatshirt/sweater
  • A uniform polo shirt or a turtleneck must be worn under any sweatshirt/sweater
  • Outerwear jackets or coats not fitting the description in this section are not permitted indoors
  • KHS shirts, t-shirts,  sweatshirts, and other KHS top apparel may be worn.
  • “Homemade” KHS attire and/or altered KHS attire (sleeves cut off, writing on shirts, etc.) are not permitted.

Shoes and Socks:

  • Closed-toed shoes with laces tied should be comfortable and have non-skid rubber soles
  • The color and style of shoes and socks are at scholars’ and parents’ discretion
  • We recommend that scholars wear tennis or other “sports” shoes that are in good repair
  • Shoes must be worn at all times unless permitted by a classroom teacher for a specific activity (such as dance class)
  • The following shoe types are a safety hazard and are not permitted: open-toed shoes, flip flops, high heels, Crocs, slides, bedroom slippers

Undergarments and Layers:

  • Any visible clothing (such as undershirts, leggings, turtlenecks, etc.) worn under dress code attire must be in a solid uniform color: solid white, black, primary red, or navy blue
  • Leggings or tights are not considered pants and must be worn under appropriate-length shorts, skirts, or dresses. All outer layers must meet the fingertip rule for length.

Jewelry, Headgear, and Religious Garments

  • Clothing required by the tenets of a scholar’s religious tradition, such as headscarves or yarmulkes, is permitted
  • Headwear, such as bows and headbands, is permitted
  • Jewelry, such as pierced ornamental jewelry, is permitted
  • Jewelry that becomes a distraction to the learning environment (such as bracelets that make clanging noises) may be banned on an individual basis
  • The following are not permitted: animal ears, character bands, non-prescription eyewear, or hats
  • The following outerwear are not permitted inside the school building: coats, vests, scarves, hats, sunglasses, arm warmers, or gloves
  • Anything worn by a scholar that is causing a distraction to the learning environment will be addressed by school staff, which could include the removal of the distracting item

Dress Down Days:

3.2 – Dress Down Days

Friday Spirit Days

  • Every Friday is a designated “Spirit Day”. On Spirit Days, scholars may wear any unaltered KHS sweatpants, or shorts purchased through KHS, along with their uniform components if applicable (for example, KHS sweatpants with KHS sweatshirt or polo).
  • “Homemade” KHS attire and/or altered KHS attire (pants cut off, writing on pants, etc.) are not permitted.

Dress Down Days

  • The first Friday of each month is designated as a school-wide dress-down day.
  • On dress-down days, scholars are permitted to wear any clothing that is appropriate for school, or they may wear uniform attire.
  • Scholars with questions about appropriate clothing should check with one of their teachers or their building Director.
  • Dress-down days are a privilege and scholars can lose this privilege as a school, grade, group, or individually. Examples of reasons for losing dress-down privileges include behavior and overall effort.
  • The following are not permitted on dress-down days: shirts/blouses without sleeves, shirts/blouses that expose cleavage or the abdominal area, skirts or shorts with lengths that do not touch a scholar’s fingertips when the scholar is standing with hands by his/her side, clothing with vulgar or alcohol-, drug- or tobacco-related language, and open-toed or unsafe shoes as described in Section 3.1. , Jeans or pants with rips/holes without leggings underneath are not permitted. Additionally, ripped jeans or pants may only have rips below the knee.
  • Bedtime clothes are not permitted during dress-down days. Examples include bathrobes, blankets, and pajamas. 
  • Teachers and Administration reserve the right to designate additional special dress days (i.e. spirit week, presentation days, fundraiser days).

Culturally Appropriate Attire

Scholars will be banned from wearing attire that could be reasonably expected to intimidate other scholars on the basis of race, religion, or any other classification that is protected by law, regulation, or Board policy to include symbols representative of the Confederate flag, Ku Klux Klan, and a Nazi swastika.