Dress Code
DRESS REGULATIONS
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
In light of the counter culture represented, tattoos (including temporary ones), and body piercing of any kind (other than ears for girls) is not permitted. Also, due to safety concerns, no shoes with wheels in/on them are permitted.
SCHOOL DAY DRESS
TCS employs a uniform system of dress for grades 1 - 12. First and foremost, we want to help the students focus their attention on the most important issues before them—their spiritual well being and academic progress. We want to minimize the peer pressure and expectations that, unfortunately, often accompany the importance of clothing, status, and appearance in young people’s minds. In addition, we want to provide a neat, simple, appropriate alternative for students’ clothing choices, removing questions about what is and is not acceptable.
In our uniform system, students purchase all tops or shirts from our designated companies, all with the approved TCS logo. Any top or jacket worn during the school day for regular classes must have the approved TCS logo. Please contact the school office for ordering information.
We allow parents to purchase pants for the young men and purchase or make skirts, jumpers, and slacks (1 – 5) for the young ladies from the store of their choice. Clear guidelines here will help in selecting these items.
If a student wears an approved TCS jacket, fleece, or sweatshirt, etc. he/she must wear a uniform shirt underneath it. No hats or head coverings of any kind are to be worn in the school buildings.
Students may wear an extra tee shirt, turtleneck, or sweatshirt underneath their uniform shirt (golf shirt or oxford shirt) that does not have the TCS logo as long as only the collar and/or sleeve areas show, and the shirt is of a solid color like a uniform shirt with no printing. However, the TCS shirt must remain buttoned up (all buttons except the top button) as if no extra shirt were worn.
ALL BOYS may purchase pants from anywhere, but the pants must follow these guidelines. The style of pants should be a classic, traditional or may be a neat, conservative cargo style (no oversized pockets). Younger boys may wear an elastic waist. Acceptable colors are khaki/sand/stone, navy blue, gray, brown, and black. The following styles are not acceptable: denim jeans of any color (grades 6 – 12), carpenter, painter, overalls, wide-legged, oversized, leather, zippered legs, warm-up or sweats. Pants must be neat without frayed hems and must not drag on the floor or be worn pulled down at the waist. Belts must be worn with pants that have belt-loops.
Boys in grades 1-5 only, may also wear plain style medium or dark blue, khaki/sand/stone, white, brown, or black jeans (please follow all restrictions as listed above—no carpenter, painter, cargo, etc. No bleached out, extremely faded, sandblasted, or indigo looks).
Shirts are to be kept buttoned (with the exception of the top button only) and must remain tucked into pants.
Hair: Boys’ hair must be combed neatly, well-groomed, and worn above the collar (as measured by a dress shirt); above the eyebrows and trimmed above the ear so that it is not over any part of the ear or tucked behind the ear. No “fad” cuts, extreme coloring or highlighting are permitted. Please check with the administration regarding questions before coloring or highlighting. If blocked in the back, hair must not be bushy. Boys must be clean-shaven with the exception of neatly trimmed mustaches for juniors and seniors. Sideburns may not come below the bottom of the ears.
Shoes/Other: Regular shoes are required. Tennis shoes must be clean and in good condition. Shoelaces must be tied. Socks are to be worn at all times. No sandals are permitted. No jewelry except watches and rings.
Due to cold temperatures, beginning after Thanksgiving break and ending on the last school day in February, girls in grades 6 – 12 may wear slacks. A student may forfeit her privilege of wearing slacks to school if she does not follow these guidelines. Girls’ slacks must be a solid khaki, navy, gray, brown, or black. They must be a classic, traditional uniform style and consist of some type of cotton or cotton blend. The following styles are not acceptable: denim jeans of any color, carpenter, painter, overalls, oversized, leather, zippered legs, knits, warm-ups or sweats. Pants must be neat without frayed hems and must not drag the floor or be low-waisted. (For specific examples of the type of acceptable slacks, please contact the school office.)
Shirts: If girls wear oxford style shirts in grades 6 – 12, they must be worn tucked into the skirt or slacks with no shirttails hanging out.
Girls in grades 1 – 5 only may also wear slacks (pants) in khaki/sand/stone, white, brown, navy, gray, or black (no jeans or denim pants). These must be classic, traditional pants (no warm up or sweat pants) and follow the same guidelines as listed for the boys’ pants above. They may also wear medium or dark blue denim skirts that are in good condition (no bleached out, extremely faded, patched, etc. fabric).
Hair/Other: Hair must be neatly combed and kept away from eyes. No extreme styles or unnatural or extreme colors. No make up for girls in grades 1 – 5. No personal adornment of questionable association or origin will be allowed, including items such as jewelry, clothing, book-bags, etc.. Nail polish must be neat and conservative colors; black is not allowed. Whether an item is “questionable” is an administrative decision.
Shoes: Girls in 6th – 12th grades may wear casual shoes—flats, loafers, sandals, conservative boots, tennis shoes in good condition, etc. No athletic-sandals, shower/water sport shoes, slippers, combat-style boots, or through-the-toe “flip-flop” style footwear may be worn. Girls in 1st – 5th grade may also wear tennis shoes in good condition but may not wear any backless shoes/sandals or shoes with heels over 1 inch.
DRESS FOR EXTRACURRICLAR ACTIVITIES
Girls as athletes (traveling to and from the game) or spectators at home or away games may wear non-school uniform clothing. Slacks must be in good condition and fit properly and modestly. Tops should be modest, not low cut or sheer, and should not “ride up” or show the midriff area. Shorts are not acceptable except for fall and spring outdoor sports. Shorts’ length must be no shorter than mid-thigh (half way between kneecap and bend of thigh). Shorts cannot be “skin tight,” but must be loose fitting to be modest in appearance. Cheerleaders may wear their uniforms during school on designated days (one day a week), as well as to and from games.
For special occasions when formal dress is worn, dresses must be modest in the neckline, fit, and length. The shoulder width of a young lady’s sleeveless top/bodice must be at least the width of the student’s hand, must go over the shoulder (no halter styles) and the neckline must not be lower than the width of the hand from the base of her neck to the top of the neckline. Dresses should cover at least half of student’s back. Any strapless dress or dress with straps that do not meet the above criteria may be worn if the student wears a sweater, jacket, or “shrug” which must remain in place during the entire banquet, including picture-taking.
Boys as athletes (traveling to and from the game) or spectators at home or away games may wear non-school uniform clothing. Non-collared shirts are permitted. Shorts are not acceptable, except for fall and spring outdoor sports. Shorts’ length must be no shorter than mid-thigh (half way between kneecap and bend of thigh). Boys on athletic teams are required to wear ties with appropriate TCS logo oxford shirts on game days.
For special occasions when formal dress is worn, boys must wear a collared shirt and tie, and pants must be at least as “dressy” as and follow the guidelines from regular school dress code pants.
Any TCS student on campus between
“DRESS DOWN
Students may wear pants or jeans. Girls may also wear capris. No pants or capris
should be tight, overly baggy (jeans), frayed, or patched and should be neat and clean. No warm-ups or sweats, wind suits, or shorts may be worn. Students may wear tee shirts or jerseys, but these may depict only sports teams or logos, or name brand athletic or clothing company names. Girls may not wear tank tops, crop tops, or tops that allow the midriff area to be seen. Hats are not acceptable during the normal school day.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1. Boys may wear school clothes for P.E. classes in grades K – 5.
2. Girls in grades 1 – 5 are to wear shorts under their skirts/jumpers or
wear/change into slacks (no jeans). These shorts are not available
from TCS for grades 1 – 5.
3. All students are required to wear tennis shoes that do not mark
the gym floor.
4. Girls in grades 6 – 12 are required to wear regulation school shorts
and shirts for all P.E. classes. Tops should be modest—not tight
or revealing.
5. Students are to wear P.E. and practice clothes in the gym or
practice area only.
6. If a student does not dress out properly, his/her grade will be lowered.
7. All students must be back into proper school dress on their way to
and before leaving the locker room or gym. Example: belt on, shirt
tucked in, etc.
8. On game days male athletes are required to wear ties during the
school day. One day a week, with coaches permission, both boys
and girls can wear their team jerseys on a game day. The coach
will decide which game they will dress for each week.
9. Players participating in school practices can not have writing on
the seat of the any pants, shorts, or any practice clothes.
10. Practice shorts’ length must be no shorter than mid-thigh (half way
between kneecap and bend of thigh).
Fads or peculiar dress and haircuts are not permitted for any students. The school reserves the right to make final decisions regarding any areas not covered in the dress code as outlined above.
