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As a Catholic educational system, St. Mary Catholic Schools reserves the right to determine a norm of appearance for students. Proper conduct and appropriate dress reflect the virtues of modesty and self-respect and are essential to maintaining a positive atmosphere for learning. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the differences in dressing for a social / recreational activity, for a day at a St. Mary Catholic school, and for special occasion or liturgy days.

All students’ attire must comply with the SMCS code. It is the responsibility of parents to assure students are dressed according to this dress code before leaving for school. Parents may be called regarding infractions to the dress code and asked to bring a change of clothes to school or to take some other appropriate action. At the high school, detentions may be issued for dress code infractions. Time away from class is unexcused and must be made up by the student with his/her teacher(s). Multiple infractions may warrant further disciplinary actions. Administration reserves the right to make final interpretations or changes in the dress code below.

 

High School Dress Code 2022-23

Bottoms (Girls & Boys)
  • Students must wear solid-colored pants or dress pants with a finished/hemmed bottom. Pants must be constructed from a cotton or cotton/poly non-denim fabric. Pants may not be torn or tattered and must fit appropriately — not be too baggy or too tight. Spandex / elastic / tight fitting leggings, jeggings, exercise pants, etc. are not allowed.
  • Females may wear skirts at an appropriate length (not shorter than fingertips when fully extended down the leg).
  • Capris may be worn during August, September, May and June.
  • Dress/cargo/khaki shorts of appropriate length (no shorter than fingertips when fully extended down the leg) or capris may be worn during August, September, May and June.
Tops (Girls & Boys)
  • Shirts must be polo shirts or Oxford-style button down shirts with long or short sleeves. No more than the top two buttons may be unbuttoned. Any logo other than an SMCHS or SMCS logo must be no larger than an index card (3×5 size).
  • Any dress shirt with an appropriate neckline (button down, polo, V neck, round neck).
  • All SMC approved tops may be worn.
  • Sweaters may be worn.
  • Sweatshirts (hooded and crew neck) or fleeces (full or quarter zip) with a logo no larger than an index card (3×5 size) may also be worn. This includes no writing on the sleeves. Hoods may never be worn up while in school.
  • Approved class, club, sport, spirit, etc. t-shirts (long or short sleeved) may be worn on any day except a liturgy, or a day specified for special dress.
  • On game days, team members may wear official uniform tops, including uniform jackets, as their coaches allow. If the uniform top is sleeveless, a shirt with sleeves must be worn underneath. Team uniform bottoms are not allowed.
Footwear (Girls & Boys)
  • For safety as well as appearance reasons, heels must be modest in height (approx. < 3 in.).
  • For safety reasons, science lab students must have teacher-approved footwear with them each day.
Jewelry/Makeup (Girls & Boys)
  • Visible body piercing, except ears, is not allowed. This includes nose, brow, or lip piercing.
  • Extremes in jewelry and makeup is not allowed.
Hair (Girls & Boys)
  • Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and a natural shade.
  • Boys must be clean-shaven with sideburns no longer than the side of the ear.
Tattoos / Body Art / Writing
  • Visible tattoos, body art / writing are never allowed.
Hats / Caps / Bandanas / Jackets / Coats (Girls & Boys)
  • Hats, caps, bandanas or outside-wear jackets/coats may not be worn in school.
  • Hoods may never be worn up while in school.
Liturgy Attire (Girls)
  • Girls may wear skirts or dresses of an appropriate length and modest style. The neckline is to be modest and appropriate for the school / church environment, and sleeves (long or short) are required. Skirts must be no shorter than the student’s fingertips when fully extended down the leg.
  • Girls may choose to wear navy, black or grey dress pants with a modest, dressy top. Shirttails must be tucked in. Cargo pants are not allowed.
  • Sweaters or solid colored, non-logo fleece may be worn. (SMCHS/SMCS corporate logos are allowed.)
  • All other SMCHS / SMCS spirit apparel is not allowed.
  • Dress shoes are required.
  • No out-of-dress-code passes may be used on special dress days.
Liturgy Attire (Boys)
  • Boys must wear navy, black, or grey dress pants with a coordinated button-down dress shirt with a collar and an appropriate tie. The tie must be tied and worn at the traditional collar level, and shirttails must be tucked in. Cargo pants are not allowed.
  • Sweaters or solid colored, non-logo fleece may be worn over the dress shirt and tie. (SMCHS/ SMCS corporate logos are allowed.)
  • All other SMCHS/SMCS spirit apparel is not allowed.
  • Dress shoes are required.
  • No out-of-dress-code passes may be used on special dress days.
Relaxed Dress Days (Girls & Boys)
  • Jeans, t-shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts and other shorts may be worn. Shorts of any type must be no shorter than the student’s fingertips when fully extended down the leg.
  • Shirts must be modest and appropriate. T-shirts and any outerwear with inappropriate language or advertising, including clothing that promotes inappropriate musicians, music groups, alcohol, drugs, inappropriate messages or sexual references are not allowed at any time.
  • Females may wear skirts at an appropriate length (not shorter than fingertips when fully extended down the leg). Capris may be worn during August, September, May and June.
  • For safety reasons, science lab students must have teacher-approved footwear with them each day.
Clothing Never Allowed
  • Clothing that is very tight or very loose.
  • Tops or pants that are not modest and/or show cleavage, stomach, lower back (midriff) skin or undergarments.
  • Clothing that promotes musicians, music groups or other messages that are not in agreement with Catholic teachings are not permitted at school or any school-sponsored event.
  • Clothing displaying alcohol, drug, inappropriate messages, or sexual references are not permitted.
  • Tattered, torn or frayed clothing.
  • Tank tops or shirts without sleeves.
  • Any other non-SMCS public / parochial / private school (K-12) logo wear.
  • Winter jackets.
  • Visible undergarments.
  • Pants below the waistline.

 

Middle School Dress Code 2022-23

Pants
  • Students must wear full-length solid-color dress pants to the ankle with a finished/hemmed bottom. Pants must be constructed from a cotton, cotton/poly, or twill non-denim and non-stretch fabric. Colored jeans and colored denim are not allowed. Pants may not be torn or tattered and must fit at the waist and not cling to skin below the waist. 
  • Spandex / elastic / leggings / jeggings, etc. are never allowed: this includes out of dress code days, socials, and field trips. 
  • Dress / cargo / khaki/ shorts to the top of the knee or longer, or capris, may be worn during September, May and June. 
  • Undergarments may not be visible. 
  • Pants must be worn at the waistline. 
Tops 
  • Shirts must be polo shirts or Oxford-style button-down shirts with long or short sleeves. No more than the top two buttons may be unbuttoned. 
  • Hoodless knit sweaters, open-front cardigan may be worn over collared shirts. Any logo other than an SMCMS or SMCS logo must be no larger than 3” square on the front or back of the shirt. 
  • All students may wear any SMCS/Zephyrs approved hooded sweatshirt, crewneck sweatshirt, ¼ zip or full zip over their collared shirt. Apparel must be purchased directly from SMCS Spirit Stop, Land’s End, or College Kids. 
Footwear
  • Footwear must be worn at all times. 
  • During the months of September, May, and June students may wear sandals. 
  • For safety reasons, heels must be modest in height (approx. < 2 in.). 
  • Flip flops, moccasins, athletic slides, and slippers are not allowed. 
  • Separate non-marking athletic shoes worn ONLY INDOORS are required for physical education class. 
Jewelry / Makeup
  • One non-gauged earlobe stud per ear is allowed. 
  • Extremes in jewelry and makeup is not allowed. 
  • Clear fingernail color only. 
Hair
  • Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and a natural shade. 
  • Boys must be clean shaven. 
  • Mohawks, intricate cut lines, or undercuts are not allowed. 
  • Extremes in hair styles and accessories are not allowed. 
Tattoos / Body Art / Writing
  • Visible tattoos, body art/writing are never allowed. 
Hats / Caps / Bandanas / Jackets / Coats (Girls & Boys)
  • Hats, caps, bandanas, jackets, hoods, coats, non-SMCS fleece may not be worn in school. 
Dresses and Skirts
  • Girls may wear skirts or dresses with short or long sleeves. Dresses and skirts must be to the top of the knee or longer. Sleeveless dresses may only be worn with a cardigan or knit sweater over the top. 
  • The neckline of the dress must be to the collarbone or higher. 
  • Girls may wear solid color leggings or tights under their skirt or dress. The skirt or dress still must come to the top of the knee or longer.
Liturgy and Prayer Service
  • Students must wear navy, gray, or black dress pants with a collared top. Shirttails must be tucked in. 
  • Jumpsuits are considered pants. 
  • Knit sweaters may be worn over the dress shirt and tie (SMCMS / SMCS logos are allowed). 
  • All other SMCMS / SMCS apparel is not allowed. 
  • No out-of-dress-code passes may be used on liturgy and prayer service days. 
  • Girls may wear dresses with the above guidelines. Skirts may be worn with a collared blouse/dress shirt. 
  • Boys must wear navy, gray, or black dress pants with a coordinated button-down dress shirt with a collar and an appropriate tie. The tie must be tied and worn at the traditional collar level and shirttails must be tucked in. Cargo pants are not allowed. 
Out of Dress Code Days 
  • Jeans, sweatpants, loose joggers, sport shorts and other knee-length shorts, and t-shirts may be worn. 
  • T-shirts and any outerwear with inappropriate language or advertising, including clothing that promotes musicians, music groups, alcohol, video games, drugs, inappropriate messages, or sexual references are not allowed at any time. 
Never Allowed
  • Clothing that is very tight or very loose 
  • Tops or pants that are not modest and/or show cleavage, stomach, lower back (midriff) skin or undergarments 
  • Clothing that promotes musicians, music groups, alcohol, drugs, video games, inappropriate messages, or sexual references as well as any other messages that are not in agreement with Catholic teachings are not permitted at school or any school sponsored event 
  • Tattered, torn, or frayed clothing 
  • Tank tops or shirts without sleeves 
  • Any other non-SMCS public / parochial / private school (K-12) logo wear 

 

Elementary (K-5) Dress Code 2022-23

Bottoms (Girls & Boys)
  • Students may wear navy blue or khaki dress pants in solid color. Cargo pants are allowed. Dress pants may not be extremely baggy, loose or long. No leggings or sweatpants are allowed.
  • Navy blue or khaki shorts and capris in solid color may be worn in August & September and May & June.
  • Dress shorts must be to the knee (no athletic shorts).
  • Navy blue or khaki skorts, skirts or jumpers should come just above knee or longer.
  • Skorts should look like a skirt, with attached shorts underneath.
  • Shorts are to be worn under skirts or jumpers on physical education days.
Tops (Girls & Boys)
  • Tops must be navy blue, white or light blue in solid colors only. No logo (except SMCS) is allowed. Sleeves may be long or short, sleeveless tops are not allowed. Collars must be of polo, oxford, or turtleneck style.
  • Sweaters, vests, sweatshirts must be navy blue, white or light blue, in solid colors only. No logo (except SMCS) is allowed.
  • Pullover sweater (crew-neck or v-neck are allowed)
  • Cardigan sweater (buttoned, zipper-front, hooded sweaters are allowed)
  • Dress shirt, turtleneck or blouse must be worn under sweater, vest, or sweatshirt
  • Only solid navy, white or light blue crew-neck sweatshirts, plain or school sweatshirts with SMCS logo are allowed
  • All students may wear any SMCS & Zephyrs-approved hooded sweatshirt, crewneck sweatshirt, ¼ zip or full zip over their collared shirt. Apparel must be purchased directly from SMCS or an SMCS approved vendor.
Footwear (Girls & Boys)
  • Shoes must be of tennis shoe or dress shoe style.
  • Socks or tights must be navy blue, khaki, light blue or white in solid colors only with no logo.
  • Socks or tights must be worn when wearing shoes (not sandals).
  • Boots without a heel are allowed during the school day. Boots of any kind are not allowed on Liturgy days.
  • Sandals may be worn in May & June and August & September. Sandals must have a strap across the ankle. Flip-flops of any kind are not allowed.
  • An additional pair of tied or Velcro tennis shoes that are non-marking or light-bottomed need to be left at school at all times for physical education.
Miscellaneous (Girls & Boys)
  • Extremes in make-up, jewelry, or accessories (hair decorations, belts, etc.) are not allowed.
  • Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and a natural shade.
  • Clothing should fit well, with nothing being too tight or too loose.