GRACE Dress Code – Neat, Appropriate, Modest
At GRACE, we teach our young men and young ladies to live out their lives for God’s glory and His Kingdom. As we teach our students to do this, we are teaching our students to be good stewards of their bodies and have their identity in Christ. We believe that Scripture is the ultimate authority and guides us toward righteous living. Genesis 1:27-28a says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them.” Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” God created our bodies as a gift to honor Him and do His will.
General Guidelines
Regarding our student dress code, we strive to balance guidelines along with freedom for both our male and female students that we feel are best for the school day. Our young men should select clothes within our dress code and wear them in an appropriate way. Our young ladies should select clothes within our dress code and wear them in an appropriate way. All of our students should be neat and well-groomed for the school day. All attire must be neat, modest, and appropriately sized – not too small or tight and not too large or loose-fitting.
Tops (Shirts, T-Shirts, Collared Shirts, Sweaters, and Sweatshirts)
Tops that are appropriate:
- GRACE shirts
- Collared shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters that are plain in color, patterned and/or striped
- Tops that have appropriate college/university logos, and professional and college sports teams, and athletic logos are permitted
- Face coverings (masks) have the same dress code guidelines as tops
Tops that are not appropriate:
- Inappropriate writing/graphics (including racial language or imagery, sexual language or imagery, violent language or imagery, or political language or imagery) or any idea or belief that specifically goes against the Bible and its teaching is not acceptable
- Tops should not have any politically focused attire relating to specific candidates or movements
- Tops must be long enough to cover the midriff and the bottom of the top must fit appropriately below the waistline
- Tops should not be sleeveless or tank top type shirts
- Tops must cover all parts of the chest
- Tops may not be sheer or show any undergarments or come off the shoulder
- Plain white or gray undershirts, cropped tops, tank tops, and shirts from other high schools are not acceptable
- Tops should not have any reference to any pop culture, specific band, musician, concert tour, movies, actors, actresses, TV Shows, or restaurants.
- No athletic jerseys and t-shirt jerseys (NFL, NBA, NHL, etc)
- Tops shouldn’t have graphics such as (Superheroes, cartoon characters, anime characters)
- GRACE athletic team uniforms
- If students choose to wear layers (with sweaters, jackets, sweatshirts), the shirt underneath the top layer must also be in dress code
Bottoms
Pants that are appropriate:
- Appropriate khaki pants, chino pants, and jeans may be worn every day
- Chino pants can be cargo or jogger-style pants
- Pants should be appropriately sized, sit securely at the waist
- Belts should be used if pants are unable to sit securely at the waist
- Leggings may only be worn under a dress code dress or skirt
Pants that are not appropriate:
- No holes or tears in jeans, pants or shorts
- Sweatpants, athletic pants, fleece pants, athletic joggers, yoga pants, spandex leggings, flannel pajamas, or athletic shorts are not allowed
- Pants, including jeans, must be loose-fitting. Fabrics may not be sheer; no undergarments or outline may show
- Students are not allowed to wear their GRACE team uniforms or team warm-ups
Shorts that are appropriate:
- Shorts should be appropriately sized, sit securely at the waist
- Appropriate khaki pants, chino pants, and jeans may be worn every day
- Chino shorts can be cargo type pants
Shorts that are not appropriate:
- A student should be able to stand straight, with their arms by their side, and not have their fingertips reach past their shorts
- Any type of athletic shorts, including shorts that are mesh, sweatpant material, yoga shorts, spandex, and shorts with large logos
- Shorts should not have any logos on the front. (i.e. athletic logos, brands or slogans)
Skirts and dresses that are not appropriate:
- A female student should be able to stand straight, with their arms by their side, and not have their fingertips reach past their dress or skirts
- Leggings may only be worn under a dress code length skirt/dress but the dress must not have their fingertips reach past the dress or skirts
- For uneven hemlines, the shortest part of the hemline must not have their fingertips reach past their dress or skirts. Long shirts are not dresses.
Shoes
Shoes should be worn at all times.
Shoes that are appropriate:
- Sneakers, dress shoes, leather shoes, boat shoes, leather sandals, Crocs with a strap
- Elementary school students must have heel straps or closed backs
Shoes that are not appropriate:
- Athletic slide, non-leather flip flops, slippers
Grooming
- Hair color should look natural (including color and highlights)
- Hair should be neat and well groomed
- Hair should not cover eyes
- Gentleman: Face must be clean-shaven (sideburns no longer than the bottom of the ear)
- SENIORS ONLY: May have neat facial hair
Accessories (Hats, Jewelry, etc.)
- Pierced ear jewelry is permitted. Gauges, multiple rings on the ears, large hoops, or any ring deemed indecent (size or style) by administration is not permitted. Students may not wear spiked or studded jewelry including bracelets, chains, chokers, or rings. Body piercings or tattoos may not be visible at any time.
- Head coverings such as hats, bandanas, animal/character accessories, sweatbands, and hoods are not permitted inside the school.
- Sweatshirts with hoods may be worn, but the hood may not be worn in the building
- Sunglasses may only be worn inside in the case of a medical need
- No blankets may be worn in the school
- Male students should not dress in a way that represents them as a female student.
- Female students should not dress in a way that represents them as a male student.
- Face coverings (masks) have the same dress code guidelines as tops
GRACE Spirit Day
These are fun days for our community and fun to see students show their school pride. We ask students to be mindful of our dress code standards as they dress up. Even on special spirit days, athletic-type pants/ shorts or spandex leggings are not allowed unless it is stated in the spirit day guidelines (example pajama day). Each Spirit Day will give out specific guidelines.
Change of Clothing
Students who have two dress code infractions in a semester will be required to bring in two dress code outfits (top and bottom) to change into if there is another dress code violation. The clothing will need to be labeled and then put into a locker or stored by the classroom teacher. We also encourage students to have a change of clothes (extra top, bottom, belt, socks, etc.) in case of an emergency. If available, GRACE may provide students with a change of clothing to change into if needed.
The administration has the final authority on the appropriateness of student attire. If a student is unsure if they can wear a certain piece of clothing, they may ask the Assistant Principal (TK-6) or Dean of Students (7-12) for clarification before they wear it.
Dance Dress Code
GRACE Christian School dances are a school event. The dress code guidelines are based on modesty and it is anticipated that all students will comply with the expectations that align with the mission of the school. We trust all our students will make wise decisions about their formal wear and feel confident in what they select to wear and have a great time at the GRACE event.
Formal Dress Code Guidelines for Gentlemen
The following guidelines should be followed when renting or purchasing formal wear.
The emphasis for all gentlemen is attire that is neat and appropriate for the occasion.
Gentlemen are required to wear formal clothes which follow these guidelines:
● Collared dress shirts with long sleeves worn with a tie or bow tie; suit with a tie or
sport coat. (No sports shirts, golf shirts). (Ties/ bowties are optional for
homecoming but required for prom.)
● Collared dress shirts must be fully buttoned (one undone button under the collar
is acceptable)
● Dress or formal pants with a belt
● No jeans, athletic pants, t-shirts, shorts, canes, or wallet chains
● No flip flops, athletic slides, or slippers
● No baseball hats or head coverings
Male students should not dress in a way that represents them as a female student.
Formal Dress Code Guidelines for Ladies
The following guidelines should be followed when renting or purchasing formal wear.
The emphasis for all ladies is formal wear attire that is modest and appropriate for the
occasion.
Ladies are required to wear a formal dress, ladies pant suit or jumper which includes
these guidelines:
● Regardless of the neckline, attire must not reveal cleavage.
● Strapless dresses are appropriate when modest and properly fit.
● Dress length should be at fingertip length or longer when shoulders relaxed and
arms straight. Lace or sheer fabrics are not included in the fingertip length
measurement. Hi-lo dresses are measured at the highest point of the opaque
fabric (front, back, or side).
● Dress slits should be no more than four inches above the knee. The measurement
is from the crease in the back of the knee to the highest portion of the slit.
● Midriffs must be completely covered (no see-through materials or cut-outs), no
two-piece dresses unless the top completely covers the skirt even with arms
raised.
● Dress backs should be at or above the bra line.
● Backlines and sides must cover the torso, chest and back and should be no lower
than a normal bra strap.
● Sides of dresses must be solid with no cut-outs or sheer material.
● Dresses that are cut to be form-fitting must not be skin tight.
● Ladies are permitted to wear a feminine pantsuit or jumper. Men’s pant suits
with a necktie should not be worn.
● Feminine pantsuits or jumpers must meet the same coverage requirements as
dresses.
● No flip flops, athletic slides or slippers.
● All formal dresses, pantsuits, and jumpers must go through the approval process.
Female students should not dress in a way that represents them as a male student.
GRACE Athletics Game Day Attire
TEAM JERSEY TOPS
Team jersey tops can be worn for the OPENING HOME GAME and the LAST HOME GAME of the regular season.
Team jersey tops can be worn for special events when approved by the Athletic Director such as: Senior Night, Tailgate Bash, Homecoming, and Play for Kay.
This applies to the following teams ONLY:
- JV and Varsity Football
- Girls Lacrosse
- Varsity Boys Tennis
- Varsity Boys Golf
- Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer
- MS Boys and Girls Soccer
- MS and Varsity Baseball
TEAM T-SHIRT, HOODIE, OR WARM-UP TOP:
Some jerseys do not conform to our school-day dress code standards (because of the nature of the uniform top), so in alignment with our current dress code policy, the following teams can wear a GRACE approved team t-shirt, hoodie, or warm-up top on game days:
- Volleyball
- Girls Tennis
- MS and Varsity Cross-Country
- Varsity Track & Field
- Cheerleading
- Basketball
- Swimming
In addition to this:
Any GRACE Athletics team can wear their team t-shirt, hoodie, or warm-up top on any game day.
Student-athletes are NOT to wear sweatpants or warm-up pants on game days nor any pants or bottoms that do not align with the GRACE dress code policy.
