The purpose of the Latin School attire policy 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 3:10 p.m. on days when school is in session. After 3:10 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 (updated for 2011-2012)
The Latin School uniform is professional business attire
| Suitable attire which meets the spirit of the purpose statement above. Students are to be neatly groomed and dressed at all times. Shoes must always have closed toes and heels. |
No chains, wristbands, leather or studded collars. No attire which displays advertisements, pictures or slogans contrary to Catholic values. 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 |
| Earrings |
|
Boys may not wear earrings. |
| Shirts |
Dress or tailored casual full-buttoning shirts intended to be worn with a tie. Shirts must be tucked in at all times, even when student's arms are raised completely over the head. Undershirts must not be visible. |
No advertisements, slogans or logos except for small trademark logos. No type of collarless shirt. No sheer materials. Only sweaters, vests or blazers may be worn over shirts. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts are permitted. |
| Ties |
Must wear a suitable necktie. The collar button must be buttoned and the tie pulled up appropriately, from October 1 through April 30. |
No string ties (bolo style), open collars or loose ties. |
| Sweaters/Jackets |
Any style or color knit sweater over a shirt and tie or over a turtleneck in cold weather. Shirt collars must be visible. Any style or color of suit jacket may be worn. |
No sweaters with hoods, fleeces or cowl-neck sweaters. No sweaters may be worn as a top without a collared shirt or turtleneck underneath. No sweatshirts may be worn on school days. No jean, jean look-alikes, or riveted jackets may be worn. No turtleneck over a button-down or over another sweater. |
| Pants/Slacks |
Dress-style slacks with a belt. Belts must not have highly decorative buckles nor be adorned with metal or metal-like materials. Pants must be worn at the waist, sufficiently high that shirts remain tucked in, even when hands are raised completely above the head. |
No jeans or jean look-a-likes. No 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. No sweatpants, workout pants or stretch slacks or tight-fitting pants of any kind. |
| Shoes |
Dress shoes or leather casual shoes with socks. Toes and heels must be enclosed. |
No 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. |
No footies or socks which do not cover the ankle. |
| Cold Weather Exception |
Boys may wear a turtleneck under a suitable sweater, or tucked in, under a suit jacket. |
No turtleneck over a button-down or over another sweater. No turtleneck is to be worn alone. |
| Warm Weather Exception (Aug./Sep. & May/Jun.) |
Boys may wear appropriate collared polo/golf shirts, which must remain tucked in to slacks.
|
No advertisements, logos or slogans except for small trademark logos. |
| Grub Days |
Tasteful t-shirts, sweatshirts, cargo pants, jeans and athletic wear. |
General guidelines listed at the beginning of the dress code always apply. The spirit of the dress code should never be violated. |
Standard School Dress Code for Girls
| |
Do Wear |
Do Not Wear |
| Earrings |
Earrings may be worn by girls. |
|
| Shirts |
Dress or tailored casual full-buttoning blouses that do not reveal cleavage. No undergarments or lace may be visible. Camis may be worn under blouses, but should be the same color as the blouse, so they are not seen. Shirts may be long or short-sleeved. Shirts must be tucked in at all times, even when student's arms are raised completely over the head. |
No advertisements, slogans or logos except for small trademark logos. No type of collarless shirt or blouse. No sheer materials. Only sweaters, vests or blazers may be worn over shirts or blouses. No tank tops, spaghetti strap shirts, cap sleeves or sleeveless shirts are permitted over your blouse. |
| Sweaters/Jackets |
Any style or color sweater - meaning it is knitted - (except for turtlenecks or cowl neck sweaters) may be worn over a collared blouse or turtleneck. Shirt collar must be visible. Any style or color dress/suit jacket may be worn. |
No sweaters with hoods, fleeces or cowl-neck sweaters. No sweaters may be worn as a top without a collared shirt or turtleneck underneath. No sweatshirts may be worn on school days. No jean, jean look-alikes, or riveted jackets may be worn. No turtleneck over a button-down or over another sweater. |
| Pants/Slacks |
Dress-style slacks with a belt (if pants have belt loops). Belts must not have highly decorative buckles nor be adorned with metal or metal-like materials. Pants must be worn at the waist, sufficiently high that shirts remain tucked in, even when hands are raised completely above the head. |
No jeans or jean look-a-likes. No 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. No sweatpants, workout pants or stretch slacks or tight-fitting pants of any kind. |
| Skirts/Dresses |
Must be in good taste, appropriate style and fabric and at least knee-length. Dresses must be appropriate to the spirit of the dress code.
|
Skirts/dresses must follow the material guidelines for pants/slacks above. Cap-sleeved, sleeveless or strapless dresses are not permitted. |
| Hosiery |
Appropriate solid colored traditional hosiery must be worn at all times with dresses and skirts. |
No fishnet or other patterned stockings. No thigh-high socks or hosiery. |
| Shoes |
Dress shoes made of leather or leather look-alike casual shoes. Toes and heels must be enclosed. |
No boots of any kind. Shoes must leave the ankle visible. No canvas shoes, athletic shoes, 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. |
No footies or socks which do not cover the ankle. |
| Cold Weather Exception |
Girl may wear a turtleneck under a suitable sweater or tucked in, under a suit jacket. |
No turtlenecks over a button-down or over another sweater. No turtleneck is to be worn alone. |
| Warm Weather Exception (Aug./Sep. & May/Jun.) |
Girls may wear appropriate collared polo/golf shirts, which must remain tucked in to slacks.
|
No advertisements, logos or slogans except for small trademark logos. |
| "Grub Days" |
Tasteful t-shirts, sweatshirts, cargo pants, jeans and athletic wear. |
General guidelines listed at the beginning of the dress code always apply. The spirit of the dress code should never be violated. |
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 short) 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.
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.