STUDENT DRESS CODE Policy Code: 4316
The board believes that responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with
the student and his or her parents or guardians and that appropriate dress and grooming contribute
to a productive learning environment. The board expects students to give proper attention to
personal cleanliness and to wear clothes that are suitable for the school activities in which they
participate.
The board respects students’ rights to express themselves in the way they dress in accordance with
the dress and grooming standards established in this policy. The board recognizes that clothes are
not gender specific.
A. MINIMUM DRESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS
The board requires that student appearance and clothing comply with the following
standards. Enforcement must reasonably accommodate clothing or accessories worn by
students as an expression of sincerely held religious beliefs or by students with disabilities.
1. Students must wear clothing that includes both a shirt with pants or a skirt, or the
equivalent (for example, a dress or a shirt with shorts), and shoes with a solid sole.
2. Headgear, including hats, hoodies, and caps, are not allowed.
3. Upper clothing must cover the chest, from armpit to armpit, and the torso. Straps
are required.
4. Lower clothing, specifically dresses and skirts, must extend to the mid-thigh.
Shorts or pants must not reveal undergarments or buttocks. Holes/designs in lower
clothing must meet the above criteria.
5. Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building.
6. Clothing and accessories must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities,
including activities in physical education courses, science labs, and shop classes,
and other activities where unique hazards exist or specialized attire or safety gear
is required.
Additionally, students are prohibited from wearing, carrying or displaying any clothing or
accessories that:
1. Depict, imply, advertise, or advocate unlawful violence or other illegal conduct, or
the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other controlled substances.
2. Display or imply vulgar, lewd, or obscene language or images. Clothing and
accessories may not depict or imply pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY MANUAL Page 1 of 2
Policy Code: 4316
3. Endanger student or staff safety.
4. Are prohibited under policy 4328, Gang-Related Activity, or any other provision
of the Code of Student Conduct; or
5. Create a substantial disruption of the educational process or operations of the
school.
B. INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DRESS CODES
The administration at individual schools may enact a standard school uniform or dress code
with the approval of the school improvement team and the board. Individual school dress
codes must not be inconsistent with this policy.
Schools may not use “dress down days” for economic gain.
C. CONSEQUENCES
Before receiving disciplinary consequences, a student who is not in compliance with this
policy or a school dress code will be given a reasonable period of time to make adjustments
so that he or she will be in compliance. Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails
to comply after being offered this opportunity will be consistent with Section D of policy
4300, Student Behavior Policies. The superintendent or designee shall list in the Code of
Student Conduct the specific range of consequences that may be imposed on a student for
violation of the dress code.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -390.2
Cross References: Student Behavior Policies (policy 4300), School Plan for Management of
Student Behavior (policy 4302), Disruptive Behavior (policy 4315), Student Identification Cards
(policy 4317), Gang-Related Activity (policy 4328)
Adopted:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
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