Dress Code

• Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. 

Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks and breasts are fully covered with opaque fabric. All items listed in the “must wear” and “may wear” categories below must meet this basic principle.

Students Must Wear*, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above: 

• A Shirt (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), AND 
• Pants or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress or shorts), AND 
• Shoes.

Students May Wear, as long as these items do not violate Section 1 above: 

• Hats must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff. 
• Religious headwear 
• Hoodie sweatshirts (hoods must allow the face and ears to be visible to staff) 
• Fitted pants, including opaque leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans” 
• Pajamas 
• Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks are not exposed. 
• Tank tops, including spaghetti straps; halter tops 
• Athletic attire and footwear
• Visible waistbands on undergarments or visible straps on undergarments worn under other clothing (as long as this is done in a way that does not violate Section 1 above).

Students Cannot Wear: 

• Violent language or images. 
• Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity). 
• Attire that is affiliated with gangs (admin will determine).
• Bullet proof vest, body armor, tactical gear, or facsimile. 
• Explicit hate speech, profanity, pornography. 
• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any consistently marginalized groups. 
• Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletic practice). 
• Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon. 
• Any item that obscures the face (except as a religious observance).

To ensure effective and equitable application of this dress code, school staff shall apply the dress code consistently using the requirements below. School administration and staff shall not have discretion to vary the requirements in ways that lead to discriminatory application. 

Dress code violations

Students will only be removed from spaces, hallways, or classrooms as a result of a dress code violation as outlined in Sections 1 and 4 above. Students in violation of Section 1 and/or 4 will be provided three (3) options to be dressed more to code during the school day: 

• Students will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if already available at school, to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day. 
• Students will be provided with temporary school clothing to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day. 
• If necessary, students’ parents may be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day. 

Application of dress code

No student should be affected by dress code application because of racial identity, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious identity, household income, body size/type, or body maturity. 

School staff shall not apply the school’s dress code more strictly against transgender and gender nonconforming students than other students. 

Students should not be shamed or required to display their clothing choices in front of others (students, parents, or staff) in school. 

School staff shall not ask students to account for their attire in the classroom or in hallways in front of others; 

• calling out students in spaces, in hallways, or in classrooms about perceived dress code violations in front of others; in particular, directing students to correct sagged pants that do not expose the entire undergarment, or confronting students about visible bra straps, since visible waistbands and straps on undergarments are permitted; and, 
• accusing students of “distracting” other students with their clothing. 

These dress code guidelines shall apply to regular school days and summer school days, as well as any school-related events and activities, such as ceremonies, dances and community events. 

Students who feel they have been subject to discriminatory application of the dress code should contact the principal.

Responsibility for student dress and appearance generally rests with individual students and their families. Students may wish to express themselves by the manner of their dress and appearance; however, students shall not wear clothing or affect an appearance at school or school-sanctioned activities or events that is disruptive to the educational environment. Jeffco Public Schools standards on student attire are intended to help students focus on schoolwork, reduce discipline problems, and improve school order and safety.

Disciplinary action for violating the student dress code shall include notifying the student of the violation and requiring that the dress or appearance be corrected before the student reenters the classroom, school environment, or school-sanctioned activity or event. At the discretion of the building-level administrator, a family conference may be held. More serious consequences may result from repeated or serious violations.