School Uniform Policy Suspended for the 2020-2021 School Year

Given the increased the economic challenges some district families face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HISD has announced the suspension of the student uniform policy for the upcoming school year. Relaxing the uniform requirements will hopefully provide some relief for families as they prepare for the school year. If students have uniforms and wish to use them, they are still welcome to do so. Students will still be expected to follow the dress code specified by each individual campus during both in-person instruction on campus and when participating in virtual instruction via the internet.

Dress Code

The High School Ahead Academy Middle School dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student's personal dress, and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the following:

Hair should be clean and neatly groomed. Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable. Hairstyles, which pose safety hazards in certain classes, may require that the hair be secured in such a manner as to create the least potential problem. Students may not wear hair rollers, bonnets and head scarfs to school unless for religious purposes. Facial hair will be allowed if neatly groomed and non-disruptive.

Skirts and shorts may be no shorter than 4 inches from the top of the knee. This includes shorts or skirts that are worn with leggings. They must be 4 inches from the knee as well.

No holes allowed in jeans, pants, shorts, or skirts.

Pants, jeans, and/or skirts must be worn above the hip bones (no sagging). Clothing must be appropriately sized and remain at the waistline.

Visible body piercing (other than the ears and a small nose stud piercing) and related jewelry is prohibited. Prohibited areas of the body include, but are not limited to eyebrow, cheek, tongue, and lips. Band-Aids to cover jewelry or spacers are not allowed.

Spiked jewelry including earrings are prohibited. Rosary beads worn as jewelry are prohibited.

Tight fitting workout attire (tights, spandex, etc.) are not acceptable outside of a designated activity period such as dance or athletics.

Students may not wear attire such as leggings without acceptable clothing over them, or jogging/biker shorts designed for more casual settings. School approved shorts may be worn in physical education classes.

The torso (shoulders, back, stomach, hips and buttocks) must be covered. Tank tops, undershirts or muscle shirts are not allowed. Revealing clothing and see-through materials are not acceptable. Low cut necklines and/or revealing clothing including see-through materials, are not acceptable. All undergarments must be covered.

Pajama and sleepwear are prohibited.

Trench coats, long capes, and dusters are not allowed.

Shoes and closed in sandals must be worn at all times. House shoes, flip flops and athletic sandals are inappropriate. For safety reasons, during physical education classes (P.E.), tennis shoes or an equivalent type shoe (must have a closed toe and back, and a level rubber sole) are to be worn.

Sunglasses worn in the building are not acceptable, unless approved by the principal or as a result of a doctor's authorization submitted to the principal and nurse.

Hats, bandanas, sweat bands, doo rags, skull caps or any other head covering are not allowed on campus unless specifically approved by the principal or designee. Unapproved head coverings worn on campus will be confiscated.

Chains, billfold/wallet chains, large beaded chains, bicycle chains are prohibited.

Uniforms or costumes approved by the principal or designee are acceptable.

Observe the basic standards of cleanliness, modesty, good grooming, and dress. All students also have the responsibility to wear clothing, which contributes to their own health and safety as well as that of others.

Any article of clothing that represents another school or district such as a jersey, letterman's jacket, t-shirt, etc. may not be worn to school and will be confiscated.

Any other article of clothing or accessory or hairstyle deemed inappropriate, unacceptable, inflammatory, and/or disruptive (such as clothing with lettering, pictures, patches, slogans, symbols, or advertisements that are distracting) may be confiscated by the school. Confiscated items may be claimed by the parent before June 15 annually. Unclaimed articles will be discarded. The school/district is not responsible for missing items.

If the principal determines that a student's grooming or clothing violates the school's dress code, the student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school. If not corrected, the student may be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day, until the problem is corrected, or until a parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing to the school. Repeated offenses may result in more serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.