STUDENT DRESS

The Board of Directors of RISE Charter School recognizes the individual right of students to choose their style of dress and grooming. The Board expects and requires students to dress appropriately for the K-12 educational environment. Students shall be allowed to wear clothing and accessories of their choice at school and school-related activities provided they comply with this policy and any applicable procedures or activity-specific requirements.  

 
Student clothing, accessories, or grooming shall not create a material or substantial disruption to the educational process or create a health or safety hazard for the student, staff, or others. This dress code shall be gender neutral and shall be interpreted and applied in a nondiscriminatory manner. The School will allow students to dress in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity as long as it is not in violation of the dress code.

RISE Charter School shall respect students' First Amendment rights regarding student apparel that conveys a political, religious, or other legally protected message, provided the apparel otherwise complies with this policy.

Scope of Dress Code

This dress code applies to student apparel and grooming worn at school and at school-related activities, including:

The principal or designee may establish reasonable and more specific dress and grooming requirements for specialized courses and activities when necessary for health, safety, or the nature of the activity. This may include, but is not limited to, physical education, athletics, shop classes, career and technical education courses, field trips, field days, school dances, and other special activities.

Students shall be informed of any additional dress or grooming requirements applicable to specialized courses or activities.

Accommodations

The School will seek to reasonably accommodate cultural, religious, and ethnic differences in dress and grooming, as well as dress or grooming requirements related to disability or medical need, provided the accommodation does not create a material or substantial disruption to the educational process or a health or safety hazard.

A student seeking a religious, cultural, medical, or disability-related exception to the dress code should work with the administration to determine an appropriate accommodation.

No student shall be required to modify their natural head or facial hair, including by shaving or straightening through the application of heat or chemicals, except where a specific health or safety requirement applies.

Students may dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression, provided the clothing otherwise complies with this dress code.

Front and Back 

Tops must have shoulder straps. Undergarments must be covered, with the exception of waistbands and bra or sleeveless undershirt straps.

Rips or tears in clothing must be below the three- to four-inch upper-thigh measurement described above. Clothing that is see-through or made of mesh must have appropriate coverage underneath that meets the minimum requirements of this dress code.

2. Shoes

Shoes must be worn at all times and must be safe and appropriate for the school environment.

Exceptions may be made when students are changing shoes for physical education or another school activity or when an accommodation has been approved by the administration.

3. Headgear

Students may wear hats and other head coverings provided that:

Reasonable exceptions may be made for religious, cultural, medical, or disability-related reasons.

Sunglasses shall not be worn indoors unless an exception has been approved for a medical or other appropriate reason.

4. Specialized Attire

Specialized courses and activities may require specialized attire, including sports uniforms, protective equipment, safety gear, or other clothing necessary for participation or safety.

Prohibited Attire:

Clothing, accessories, jewelry, visible tattoos, or other apparel shall not depict, imply, advertise, or advocate:

The principal or designee may identify specific items or symbols as prohibited gang attire when there is a reasonable basis to believe they are associated with gang activity at the School.

Attire, accessories, or grooming that create a safety hazard or are likely to damage school property are prohibited.

Political and Religious Expression

Student clothing and accessories may convey political, religious, or other legally protected viewpoints, provided the clothing or accessory does not otherwise violate this policy.

Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prohibit student expression protected by the First Amendment or other applicable law.

Interpretation and Enforcement

The principal or designee shall be responsible for interpreting and administering this dress code and for communicating the dress code and any applicable activity-specific requirements to students and families.

Teachers and other staff members are responsible for identifying and referring possible dress code violations to the principal or designee. The principal or designee shall determine whether the attire constitutes a violation.

If a conflict arises regarding the interpretation or application of this policy, the determination of the principal or designee shall be final, subject to applicable School policy and law.

The dress code shall be enforced consistently and in a manner that does not discriminate based on gender, race, body size or type, maturity, disability, religion, or other protected classification.

Staff should enforce the dress code in a manner that minimizes loss of instructional time and avoids unnecessarily embarrassing or shaming students. Whenever reasonably possible, dress code concerns should be addressed privately and discreetly.

Corrective Action and Discipline

If a student's clothing, grooming, or accessories violate this policy, the student may be given an opportunity to correct the violation at school. Corrective action may include covering, removing, or replacing the item of attire or otherwise bringing the student's clothing into compliance with this policy.