Skip To Main Content

Dress Code

Dress Code

The board believes that the dress and personal appearance of students greatly affect their academic performance and their interaction with other students.  The board requests that parents outfit their children in clothing that is conducive to learning.  Generally, dress and grooming standards as determined by the student and his or her parents will be deemed acceptable.  However, the board prohibits any appearance or clothing that does the following: (1) violates the guidelines in this policy or a reasonable dress code adopted and publicized by the school; (2) is substantially disruptive; (3) is provocative or obscene; or (4) endangers the health or safety of the student or others.

All students must observe the following guidelines:

  1. Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least knee length for middle and high school students.  Elementary students may wear shorts, skirts, and dresses no higher than three inches above the knee.
  2. Shirts and tops should be high enough to cover the chest.  No sleeveless shirts or tops are allowed at the middle and high schools.  Tank tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, halter tops, see-through shirts, mesh shirts, and clothing that expose the midriff or chest are not appropriate nor allowed.  Shirts and tops should be without non-functional holes.  Undergarments should not be seen.
  3. Clinging or form-fitting clothing (pajamas, leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, etc.) are not permitted.
  4. Pants and shorts must be properly fitting and fastened at the waist.  Pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses must be without non-functional holes above the knee.  No sagging pants are allowed.  Undergarments must not be seen.
  5. Clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, visible tattoos and body markings, or other items that are vulgar or obscene, encourage illegal drug use, or depict gang affiliation are prohibited.  Each principal shall, in consultation with the local police department, compile a list of current gang symbols.  The items on this list shall be considered to depict gang affiliation and shall be prohibited.  This list shall be frequently updated and publicized to the students whenever changes are made.
  6. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.  Footwear must be properly laced, tied, buckled, and fastened at all times.  Appropriate footwear is that which can be worn safely and without distraction in the school environment without fear of injury to oneself or others.  Bedroom shoes are not allowed.
  7. No sun/shade glasses are to be worn in the building unless it is medically prescribed that they be worn indoors.
  8. No hats or caps are allowed.  Hoodies/hooded coats are allowed but hoods cannot be worn inside the building. No head gear (bandannas, kerchiefs, curlers, doo-rags, hair wraps, etc.) is to be worn unless required for religious or medical reasons.  Toboggans are allowed outside.

Schools may exceed or clarify this dress code policy with approval of the superintendent and board notificationPrincipals may use their discretion to approve attire outside the prescribed dress code policy for special school functions, such as Spirit Week, etc.

Principals or the superintendent can make exceptions to this policy based on medical or religious reasons.

Before being disciplined, a student who is not in compliance with this policy or a school dress code shall be given a reasonable period of time to make adjustments so that he or she will be in compliance.  Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails to comply after being offered this opportunity shall be consistent with policy 4300, Student Code of Conduct.  The superintendent or designee shall list the specific range of consequences that may be imposed on a student for violation of the dress code.

Legal References:  G.S. 115C-47, -390.2

Cross References:  Student Code of Conduct (policy 4300), School Plan for Management of Student Behavior (policy 4302), Disruptive Behavior (policy 4315)

Adopted:  7/1/09

Revised:  10/3/11, 6/4/12, 6/27/13 

SMOD - Rochelle Middle School

On May 5, 2008, the Lenoir County Board of Education passed Rochelle Middle School’s Standard Mode of Dress code into official board policy. During the 2007-08 school year, RMS piloted this program with great success. RMS is proud to be one of two schools in the district with a Standard Mode of Dress policy. Students are required to be in full compliance with the SMOD policy daily.

Standard Mode of Dress (SMOD)

Colors

TSHIRTS (turtlenecks, oxford shirts, and sweatshirts only):

  • Yellow
  • White
  • Forest Green 

PANTS (pants, shorts, capri pants, skorts, and skirts only):

  • Tan Khaki
  • Blue Khaki
  • Black Khaki

Shirts

Shirts must be tucked in at all times with the exception of sweaters and sweatshirts; no logos or imprinting; t-shirts can not be worn as the primary shirt or over any other shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt; can only be worn as under clothing if it matches the dress code colors, and writing or graphics must not show through the top garment.

Polo/Golf Style Shirt 

  • Short or long sleeved
  • Must have 2 to 4 buttons
  • Must be within shirt dress code colors (see above); NO DENIM/JEAN 

Turtleneck/mock turtleneck shirt 

  • Plain; no buttons
  • Must be within shirt dress code colors (see above) 

Front-buttoned Solid Oxford Dress Shirt 

  • No Denim
  • Sleeves must have the wrist buttoned
  • Short or long sleeved with a collar
  • Must be within shirt dress code colors (see above); NO DENIM/JEAN 

Sweater/sweatshirt- not hooded 

  • Can not hang past straddle of pants (not baggy)
  • Must be worn over an approved dress code shirt
  • May have a round or v-neck, or it may be a button-front cardigan style
  • Must be within shirt dress code colors (see above)

Pants and Shorts

Must be worn at the waist at all times; no logos or graphics. Form fitting spandex material, nylon, denim, corduroy and sweat pants are not allowed. Capri pants are allowed but cannot be hip huggers, cannot be skin tight and the manufactured slit at the bottom of the Capri pant cannot be above the knee. Must be within the dress code colors (see above); NO DENIM/JEAN

Pants 

  • Dress type made of twill; must fit to size (not baggy/skin tight)
  • Must be straight-legged (no bell or flared bottoms) hemmed, cannot drag on floor
  • Limited to no more than two front, two rear and two side pockets
  • Cannot be tucked into socks 

Shorts

  • Walking style
  • Should be worn at the knee cap level
  • If worn with slouch socks, the socks must be within the dress code colors
  • Limited to no more than two front and two rear pockets

Skirts

  • Should be worn at the knee cap level
  • If worn with slouch socks, the socks must be within the dress code colors
  • Limited to no more than two front and two rear pockets
  • Forms fitting spandex material, nylon, denim, corduroy and sweat pants are not allowed
  • Splits or slits are not allowed
  • Must be within the dress code colors (see above); NO DENIM/JEAN

Outerwear 

  • Any outerwear (jackets, coats, zip-up sweatshirts and etc.) can be worn to school
  • Any outerwear (jackets, coats, zip-up sweatshirts and etc.) worn inside the school building must be within the dress code colors (see above); NO DENIM/JEAN
  • Any outerwear (jackets, coats, zip-up sweatshirts and etc.) worn inside the school building can not be hooded

Accessories 

  • Students must wear a belt if garment/clothing was manufactured with belt loops
  • Color-dark belts or belts that match the color of the pants, skirts, skorts, capri, shorts
  • Graphics or labels are unacceptable on all belts and belt buckles
  • Name buckles or large face are not allowed
  • Belts must be an appropriate length and not hang below the straddle
  • Suspenders are not permitted
  • No rubber flips flops of any kind
  • No hats or other headgear can be worn inside the school building during or after school
  • No net slides
  • No Sandals
  • No bedroom slippers
  • No backless shoes
  • Slouch socks may be worn, but must be within the dress code colors (see above)
  • Jewelry should NOT drape over SMOD attire
  • No Beaded Necklaces 

Miscellaneous 

  • Students who fail to wear the approved SMOD will be sent to the office so that a parent may bring proper clothing and/or accessories. Repeat offenders will be dealt with at the discretion of the principal.
  • SMOD information, the dress code policy and vendor list will be provided for parents, before the new school year begins, when a student enrolls or when revisions are made to the dress code.
  • Any item that is worn to school must not undermine the integrity of the dress code, serve as a disruption to the educational process or present a health hazard to an individual or their peers.