Pierce County High School’s apparel and grooming policy is set up to instill discipline and order and to provide students the opportunity to practice dress and grooming requirements needed for future job employment.
Appropriate wearing of apparel and cleanliness of person is important as a matter of health and aesthetics, as well as being conducive to learning. With the rapidly changing styles of clothing, it is impossible to specify everything that is acceptable for student dress. A good rule to follow is that if there is doubt concerning the appropriateness of your clothes for school, DO NOT wear them until you check.
Dress code violations will be handled through the school discipline policy. Students who come to school dressed inappropriately must change clothes to meet the school dress code before returning to class. Repeated violations of dress code will result in discipline action. In order to preserve discipline and order in the school and create a proper and safe learning environment, the following dress code will be enforced:
Girls For girls, dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts, and slacks are appropriate for school wear. For attire regarding length: Shorts, dresses, and skirts shall be no more than one business card (2”) above the knee. Sheer apparel, bare midriffs and /or backs, very low necklines (no cleavage), extremely tight garments, strapless tops, tank 19 tops, and spaghetti straps are not permissible. Skin-tight pants, such as jeggings, leggings, yoga pants, etc., may only be worn when otherwise permissible clothing (no more than one business card above the knee) is worn over them. Undergarments should not be visible at any time.
Boys For boys, jeans, slacks, shorts, sport shirts, jerseys, and tee shirts are appropriate. Tank tops or sleeveless shirts ARE NOT appropriate. Shorts shall be no more than one business card (2”) above the knee. Button type shirts should be properly closed, and belts must be buckled around the natural waistline. Undergarments should not be visible at any time.
Girls and Boys No pants and/or jeans may be worn that are ripped, torn or frayed where skin and/or undergarments may be exposed above the knee. No racerback tops of any type are permitted. No tinting, streaking, or dying of hair to unnatural hair colors is permitted without administrative approval. Hair must be worn appropriately so it does not interfere with students’ vision or the teachers’ and/or administrators’ ability to maintain eye contact. Contact lenses that alter students’ eyes to unnatural colors/designs are prohibited. No hoods, hats, caps, sunglasses, chokers or bracelets that could be harmful, or any head covering will be worn on school campus unless for religious or medical purposes except when approved by the administration. Other prohibited items include: (1) large, long, and /or heavy chains, (2) studded or chained accessories, and (3) sleepwear, including bedroom slippers, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, etc. Shoes must be worn at all times.
No clothing or other displays of suggestive, sexual or profane wording or symbols or advertising of alcohol or tobacco or illegal products will be permitted. Clothing that suggests gang affiliation, non-sanctioned clubs, or racially offensive subject matter will not be tolerated. Caps/hats/hoods/bandanas may not be worn in the school building.
No visible body piercing (other than ears) will be allowed. No tongue piercing is allowed. Gang related markings or tattoos or any other distraction that is detrimental to the educational environment will not be permitted. Visible drawings/markings are not permitted on student’s skin markers, etc).
Any other questionable attire will be handled on an individual basis at the discretion of the administration. The school administration may adjust this policy at any time during the school year.