Dress Code

Dress Code Guidelines:

At Southern High School, our dress code guidelines are developed to contribute to a school climate that is conducive to learning. It is the policy of Southern High School that the student and their parent/guardian hold the primary responsibility in determining the student’s personal attire, hairstyle, jewelry, and personal items (e.g. backpacks, book bags). Schools are responsible for ensuring that student attire, hairstyle, jewelry, and personal items do not interfere with the health or safety of any student and do not contribute to a hostile or intimidating environment for any student. 

Students will be able to dress and style themselves for school in a manner that expresses their individuality without fear of unnecessary discipline or body shaming; and teachers will focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.

These general guidelines are to be followed

  1. Hoods, caps, hats, bandanas, bonnets, and sunglasses cannot be worn in the building (only religious headdresses allowed). 

  2. Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Dresses must be below the level of the student’s closed fist at a normal standing position (arms at sides). 

  3. Skin shown above the level of the student’s closed fist is not permitted (this includes holes in pants and see-through panty hose/tights).

  4. Shirts, blouses, or tops must touch the waistband of all bottoms or equivalent in a normal standing position (arms at sides). No spaghetti straps, strapless shirts, or shirts showing excessive cleavage are permitted.  

  5. Students may not intentionally show private parts, buttocks, or visible undergarments beyond the otherwise permissible waistbands and straps.

  6. Any apparel/jewelry that promotes alcohol, drugs, gang affiliation, weapons, or sex is prohibited.

  7. Blankets of any kind are prohibited and cannot be worn or carried by any student.

  • The administration reserves the right to determine if any clothing or item violates the above dress code.

  • Students violating our dress code policy will not be allowed to attend class until the dress code is corrected.

  • The Youth Service Center will not provide assistance in Dress Code matters.

NOTE:  It may be necessary to distribute an addendum to the Dress Code Guidelines for students in order to clarify the guidelines outlined above.  Exceptions may be announced due to extenuating circumstances.