MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL DRESS SCHOOL DRESS School dress at Norfolk Collegiate is designed to help all members of the school community focus on the fundamental purpose of the day: to be active, engaged and successful citizen scholars. Our dress helps distinguish our students by performance and achievement rather than by wardrobe, demonstrates pride in self and school, and our commitment to preparing students for life beyond Norfolk Collegiate. All Norfolk Collegiate students have the responsibility to dress in a manner appropriate for school and reflective of our core values. Students choosing to attend Norfolk Collegiate accept the letter and spirit of these guidelines and their personal responsibility to follow them. Any interpretation and judgment of a student s compliance to the school dress guidelines lies with faculty, staff and administration and is the final word on the matter. STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DRESS AND APPEARANCE The purpose of school dress is to reflect the discipline and seriousness of purpose we associate with academic pursuits, school events and learning. Student dress and appearance is to be appropriate to the occasion and season, in good taste, and should not be a distraction to other students or members of the school community. As such, all clothing must be neat, clean, properly fitting, free of holes, rips, tears and graphics or logos. Norfolk Collegiate students are expected to be neat, well-groomed and clean in their appearance. With the exception of those observing religious practices as approved by the division head, hats and headgear are not permitted during the academic day. Hairstyles should be appropriate for all school events; the length and style should be subdued and not distracting to others. Hair should be of a natural color. Males must be clean-shaven every day (including business casual and spirit dress days). Male sideburns may extend as low as the bottom of the ear while his hair should be no longer than the top of the shirt collar. Female students may have traditional ear piercings. Jewelry pierced in areas other than the ears is not permitted. Males are not permitted to wear earrings at any time. Body art (including tattoos) must not be visible at any time during the academic day.
SCHOOL DRESS Male Pants Khaki-style pants, dress pants, corduroy pants and non-denim pants that are properly fitted and worn at the waist may be worn. All pants must be worn with a belt. Male Shirts and Sweaters Males are expected to wear a collared dress or oxford shirt and tie. Shirts must be fully buttoned and tucked in at all times. Ties must be tightened and worn appropriately. Sweaters (crew neck, cardigan or quarter zip) can be worn over a collared shirt and tie. Males may wear turtlenecks under a properly fitted sweater (crew neck, cardigan or quarter zip). Turtlenecks may also be worn under a long-sleeved collared dress shirt with the shirt-tails tucked in. Male Shoes Appropriate footwear includes dress shoes, loafers or athletic shoes in good condition. Shoes must be laced and socks must be worn with all shoes. Female Pants Non-denim pants including capri pants relaxed in fit may be worn. Female Shirts, Dresses and Skirts Females may wear properly and tastefully fitted dresses and skirts no shorter than four inches above the knee. Females may wear sweaters, blouses (with or without collars), turtlenecks, or tops (more formal than a t-shirt). All tops must have a non-revealing neckline without pictures, slogans, logos, or cutouts. Sleeveless blouses or dresses must have straps that are three inches or wider that fully cover undergarments. Female Shoes Females may wear shoes with a heel height not to exceed three inches. Dress shoes, including sandals or slides are acceptable, as are clean, wellkept athletic shoes.
Male Sweatshirts & Layers NCS sweatshirts (zippered, hooded, or crew neck), fleece or quarter-zips of proper size may be worn over a dress shirt and tie or turtleneck. Sweatshirts, fleece and quarter zips must have a Norfolk Collegiate logo and be purchased through Collegiate Corner or NCS sports teams. ONLY Seniors may wear college sweatshirts over an appropriate shirt. Male clothing that is NOT appropriate for the academic day Athletic slides and flip flops. Denim pants, shirts or jackets, cargo pants, tank tops, flannel shirts, and athletic warm ups (pants or jackets). Outerwear (coats, jackets, down vests, or full-zip fleeces) worn to school that are not included in school dress are not to be worn in school buildings. Female Sweatshirts & Layers NCS sweatshirts (zippered, hooded, or crew neck), fleece or quarter-zips of proper size may be worn over a school dress approved top. Sweatshirts, fleece and quarter-zips must have a Norfolk Collegiate logo and be purchased through Collegiate Corner or NCS sports teams. ONLY Seniors may wear college sweatshirts over an appropriate shirt. Female clothing that is NOT appropriate for the academic day Athletic slides and flip flops. Denim or denim-looking pants of any color, warm-up/ yoga pants, jeggings, leggings, and cargo pants. Denim skirts or jackets, flannel shirts and athletic warms up (pants or jackets). Bare shoulders, exposed chests, midriffs (even when reaching, sitting, stretching, or relaxing), or exposed upper thighs (while standing or sitting). Backless, off-the-shoulder or strapless shirts or dresses. Polo shirts and t-shirts. Outerwear (coats, jackets, down vests, or full-zip fleeces) worn to school that are not included in school dress are not to be worn in school buildings.
BUSINESS CASUAL DRESS Each Friday, students may come to school in business casual dress (barring any special program or activity requiring more formal dress). Students deciding not to dress in business casual are expected to be in school dress as defined above. Male Pants Female Pants and Skirts Khaki-style pants, dress pants, corduroy pants and non-denim pants that are properly fitted and worn at the waist may be worn. All pants must be worn with a belt. Male Shirts Collared shirts (short or long-sleeve, polos, oxfords, dress shirts) Shirts must be tucked in Sweaters over a collared shirt Non-denim pants including capri pants relaxed in fit may be worn. Skirts no shorter than four inches above the knee may be worn. Female Shirts Properly fit polo shirt (short or long-sleeve), tops (more formal than a t-shirt), collared shirt, or collarless blouse Sweaters over a polo shirt or knit top SPIRIT DRESS On designated days throughout the school year, students will be permitted to attend classes in spirit dress defined as follows: A Norfolk Collegiate logo shirt (long or short sleeve T-shirt), sweatshirt, fleece or quarter-zip purchased in the Collegiate Corner. A shirt must be worn underneath a Norfolk Collegiate sweatshirt, fleece or quarter-zip. Jeans, corduroys or khaki-style pants. Boys: Bermuda-style shorts may be worn before Oct. 31 or after April 1. Flip flop sandals may be worn. Girls: Shorts (excluding running or athletic shorts) no shorter than 4 inches above the knee may be worn before Oct. 31 or after April 1. Flip flop sandals may be worn. * Students opting not to dress in spirit dress are expected to be in school dress as defined above. FORMAL DRESS On designated days throughout the school year, there are special events on campus that require students to be dressed more formally than school dress as defined above. Such events include but are not limited to: National Honor/ Junior Honor Society Inductions,
guest speakers, athletic awards assemblies, end-of-year events and other occasions identified by the administration. Boys formal dress: khaki-style or dress pants, shirt, tie and blazer, dress shoes (no athletic shoes). Girls formal dress: skirt of appropriate length with a collared dress shirt or blouse, dress pants with collared dress shirt, blouse or sweater, or dress of appropriate length and dress shoes (no athletic shoes). SUPPORTING SCHOOL DRESS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL Each morning, advisors will do a dress code check. Students whose dress or appearance are not commensurate with the guidelines for that particular day, e.g., school dress, spirit dress, etc., will receive a warning. While speaking with advisees about dress/appearance is part of an advisor s job, all faculty members share responsibility for upholding school dress and appearance guidelines. Consequently, any faculty member may have discussions with students and issue warnings for infractions of the school dress/appearance policy, though once a student has had an initial conversation around dress/appearance on a given day, the student may not be penalized twice for the same infraction. Students who receive three warnings in a particular marking period will be required to serve a Choice Time detention. SUPPORTING SCHOOL DRESS IN THE UPPER SCHOOL Each morning, advisors will do a dress code check. Students whose dress or appearance are not commensurate with the guidelines for that particular day, e.g., school dress, spirit dress, etc., will receive a warning. While speaking with advisees about dress/appearance is part of an advisor s job, all faculty members share responsibility for upholding school dress and appearance guidelines. Consequently, any faculty member may have discussions with students and issue warnings for infractions of the school dress/appearance policy, though once a student has had an initial conversation around dress/appearance on a given day, the student may not be penalized twice for the same infraction. Students who receive three warnings in a particular marking period will be required to serve a 45-minute after school detention.