The purpose of the Latin School Dress Code is twofold. As an aspect of a student's personal education, it helps develop positive self-image, promotes a sense of personal responsibility, and encourages positive moral expression consistent with Catholic teachings. As an organizational benefit, this policy keeps our focus on the academic process, minimizes disciplinary disruption and assures the safety of our students. In this context, student dress should demonstrate modesty, be appropriate to an academic setting and contribute to a sense of school pride.
All final decisions about the acceptability of specific items of clothing rest with the Administration. A student in violation will be required to bring their attire into compliance with the dress code. This will result in parents being called to bring the correct clothing to school. Students will receive an automatic jug for non-compliance.
The School Dress Code is in effect from 7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on days when school is in session. After 3:00 P.M., as well as during the school day, all clothing must fall within the language and spirit of the general guidelines below.
General Guidelines
| Suitable attire which meets the spirit of the purpose statement above. |
No earrings, chains, wristbands, leather or studded collars. |
| Students are to be neatly groomed and dressed at all times. |
No attire which displays advertisements, pictures or slogans contrary to Catholic values. |
| Shoes must always have closed toes and heels. |
No clogs or sandals of any kind. In keeping with our purpose statement, no clothing which is revealing or suggestive. No undergarments should ever be visible. |
Standard School Dress Code for Boys
| |
Do Wear |
Do Not Wear |
| Shirts |
Dress or tailored casual full-buttoning shirts intended to be worn with a tie. |
Advertisements, logos or slogans. |
| |
Tucked in shirts at all times, even when student's arms are raised completely over the head. |
Collar-less shirt. No sheer materials. |
| Ties |
A suitable tie of any style -- Oct. 1- April 30. |
String ties (bolo style) |
| |
The collar button must be buttoned and the tie pulled up appropriately. |
Open collars or loose ties. |
| Warm Weather Exception |
Appropriate collared polo shirt -- Aug. to Sept. 30 and May 1 to June. |
|
| Sweaters/Jackets |
Any style or color sweater over a shirt and tie or over a turtleneck in cold weather. Shirt collars must be visible. |
Sweaters with a hood. No sweater may be worn as a top without a collared shirt or turtleneck underneath. No sweatshirts may be worn on school days. |
| |
Any style or color of dress/suit jacket |
Jean, jean look-alikes, or riveted jackets |
| Cold Weather Exception |
A turtleneck under a suitable sweater, or tucked in under a suit jacket A turtleneck over a button-down or over another sweater. |
|
| Pants/Slacks |
Dress-style slacks with a belt |
Jeans or jean look-alikes. This means: pants of denim or denim-look, acid washed, bleached material and/or pants with pockets or compartments sewn on the outside of the main material portion of the pants and/or pants with rivets of any kind and/or pants with stitching a distinctly different color or shade from the color of the pants. |
| |
Pants must be worn at or near the waist, sufficiently high that shirts remain tucked in, even when hands are raised completely above the head. |
Sweatpants, workout pants or stretch slacks. |
| Shoes |
Dress shoes/casual shoes with socks. Toes and heels must be enclosed. |
Boots of any kind. Shoes must leave the ankle visible. No canvas shoes, athletic shoes, canvas or athletic shoe look-alikes or bowling shoes. No sandals, clogs or other open/heel shoes. |
| Socks |
Socks at all times and must cover the entire ankle. |
Socks or footies which do not cover the ankle. |
Standard School Dress Code for Girls
| |
Do Wear |
Do Not Wear |
| Shirts |
Dress or tailored casual full-buttoning blouses |
Advertisements, logos or slogans |
| |
Shirts must be tucked in at all times, even when student's arms are raised completely over the head. |
Collar-less shirt or blouse and no sheer materials. Tank tops or spaghetti-strapped shirts may not be worn over collared shirts. |
| |
Shirts may be long or short sleeved |
Cap sleeves or sleeveless shirts. |
| Warm Weather Exception |
An appropriate collared polo shirt from August to Sept. 30 and May 1 to June. |
|
| Sweaters/Jackets |
Any style or color sweater over a collared blouse or turtleneck. Shirt collar must be visible. |
Sweaters with a hood; Sweatshirts on school days; Sweaters as a top without a collared shirt or turtleneck underneath; Cowl-neck sweaters. |
| |
Any style or color dress/suit jacket |
Jean, jean look-alikes, or riveted jackets |
| Cold Weather Exception |
Turtlenecks under a suitable sweater or tucked in under a suit jacket. |
A turtleneck over a button-down or over another sweater. |
| Pants/Slacks |
Dress-style slacks with a belt (if pants have loops) |
Jeans or jean look-a-likes. This means: pants of denim or denim-look, acid washed, bleached material and/or pants with pockets or compartments sewn on the outside of the main material portion of the pant, and/or pants with rivets of any kind and/or pants with stitching of a distinctly different color or shade from the color of the pants. |
| |
Pants must be worn at or near the waist, sufficiently high enough that shirts remain tucked in at all times. |
Sweat pants, workout pants or stretch slacks. |
| Skirts/Dresses |
Must be in good taste and be of appropriate length, style and fabric. |
Skirts/dresses shorter than 2" above the knee. Skirts/dresses must follow the material guidelines for pants/slacks above. |
| |
Dresses must be appropriate to the spirit of the dress code. |
Cap sleeved or sleeveless dresses are not permitted. |
| Shoes |
Dress shoes or leather casual shoes. Toes and heels must be enclosed. |
Boots of any kind. Shoes must leave the ankle visible. No canvas shoes, athletic shoes, canvas or athletic shoe look-a-likes or bowling shoes. No sandals, clogs or other open toe/heel shoes. No high-heeled shoes. |
| Socks |
Socks must be worn at all times and must cover the entire ankle. Socks, if worn with skirts or dresses, will extend no higher than the bottom of the knee. |
Socks or footies that do not cover the whole ankle. |
| Hosiery |
Appropriate solid colored traditional hosiery with dresses and skirts. |
Fishnet or other patterned stockings. No thigh-high socks or hosiery. |
Here are some ideas for families that prefer standardized styles, or have difficulty finding certain styles for the current dress code: We suggest checking with the following school uniform providers. Please make sure you are checking within the school uniform section of the website. Many of these styles fit nicely within the dress code outlined above.
Land's End Uniforms (1-800-963-4816 or http://www.landsend.com, click "Kids" section, then "School Uniforms"). Any dress/oxford shirt, any chinos or corduroy pants (except reinforced knees), any sweater, any blazer, any skirt (not skort) for girls; any polo shirt (for warmer weather) or turtleneck (for winter weather) and any ties for boys.
Academy Uniforms http://www.academyuniforms.com Any dress/oxford shirt, any pants (except reinforced knees), any sweater, any blazer, any skirt (not skort) for girls; any polo shirt (for warmer weather) or turtleneck (for winter weather) and any ties for boys.
JC Penney School Uniforms http://www.jcpenney.com ("Children's" then "School Uniforms") Any dress/oxford shirt, any Dockers or dress pant (except reinforced knees), any sweater, any blazer, any skirt (not skort) for girls; any polo shirt (for warmer weather) or turtleneck (for winter weather) and any ties for boys.
Grub Days: Occasionally CLS will have a day when the Dress Code is altered. The "General Guidelines" and spirit of the dress code always apply, no matter what the occasion. Generally, Grub Days allow tasteful t-shirts and sweatshirts, cargo pants, jeans and athletic wear.
Mixers, dances and formal events: Generally, mixers are casual dances where Grub Day-type standards apply, including general guidelines. More formal dances still call for attention to the General Guidelines, although dressy sandals are allowed for girls.
The Dress Code listed above gives the best outline we can provide of standards expected at Covington Latin School. Most of our parents and students strive to live within the spirit of this policy to create a suitable academic environment.
However, current fashion will sometimes lure students to introduce unexpected novelties which are not covered in the above descriptions. Again, the spirit of the policy is to be kept in mind, and the Administration has the final say about what is acceptable.