IPS Standard School Attire Guide The Indianapolis Public Schools dress code isn t just about how students look, it s about how students behave and achieve. Proper attire is the first step in creating a classroom environment that provides a laser focus on instruction, not fashion. Students, parents and staff continue to share stories of the benefits of the dress code from spending less money on clothing to enjoying stress-free mornings when preparing for school. Students are to be dressed in appropriate attire beginning the first day of the school year. Excellence. Scholarship. Respect. Courage.
Elementary School (These rules do not apply to 6-12, 7-8 or 7-12 grade-level schools; these configurations follow the rules for Secondary Males.) IPS Uniform Dress Code for Elementary Males A. Shirts Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Note: Acceptable materials: cotton, polyester, linen, twill, corduroy and canvas Note: No T-shirts Style Straight, button-down collar Turtleneck or mock turtleneck collar Long or short sleeves May be polo-style No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 on the shirt other than approved school logo Must be tucked into pants or shorts at all times B. Undershirts Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Long or short sleeves Must be tucked in at all times C. Pants/Shorts Solid colors: navy blue, black or khaki Note: No denim/blue jeans allowed Pleated or flat in the front Fastened at the waist Pants must be worn with a belt and set above the hip. Walking length shorts limited to 2 (inches) above the knee 2 IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE
D. Sweaters/sweater vests/fleece jackets (must be worn over an approved shirt) Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Note: No hoods allowed V-neck Crew neck Cardigan No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 other than approved school logo E. Sweatshirts Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Note: No hoods allowed Must be worn over an approved collared shirt. Collar must extend over sweatshirt F. Shoes Any color acceptable Closed toes Closed heel or strap heel G. Boots Any color acceptable Any style acceptable H. Socks Solid colors: black, white, navy blue, khaki, red I. Belts (required for Grades 2-8) No logos May be any color May be made out of cloth or leather If waistband is elastic and does not have loops, no belt required. Belt required with all clothing that includes belt loops. IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE 3
Elementary School (These rules do not apply to 6-12, 7-8 or 7-12 grade-level schools; these configurations follow the rules for Secondary Females.) IPS Uniform Dress Code for Elementary Females A. Shirts/Blouses Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Note: No T-shirts Style Straight, button down collar Turtleneck or mock turtleneck collar Cowl neck collar Long or short sleeves May be polo style Must be long enough to be tucked in at all times No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 on the shirt other than approved school logo B. Undershirts Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black No visible camisoles or other attire considered by the principal to be underwear Long or short sleeves Must be tucked in at all times C. Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Skorts, Capris and Jumpers Solid colors: khaki, black or navy blue Note: No denim/blue jeans allowed. Solid navy blue or black shorts may be worn under a skirt provided they do not show. Pleated or flat in the front Fastened at the waist Must be worn with a belt and set above the hip Walking length shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers limited to 2 (inches) above the knee 4 IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE
D. Sweaters/sweater vests/fleece jackets (must be worn over an approved blouse or shirt) Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Note: No hoods allowed V-neck Crew neck Cardigan No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 other than approved school logo Must be worn over an approved collared shirt E. Sweatshirts Solid colors: white, navy blue, light blue, red or black Note: No hoods allowed Must be worn over an approved collared shirt. Collar must extend over sweatshirt F. Shoes Any color acceptable Closed toes Closed heel or strap heel G. Boots Any color acceptable Any style acceptable H. Socks/Tights/Leggings Solid colors: black, white, navy blue, khaki, red No stripes, polka dots or other designs No fishnet I. Belts (required for Grades 2-8) No logos May be any color May be made out of cloth or leather If waistband is elastic and does not have loops, no belt required. Belt required with all clothing that includes belt loops. J. Accessories No clothing (such as shawls) to be worn over pants, skirts or shorts IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE 5
Secondary Schools IPS Uniform Dress Code for Secondary Males A. Solid shirts in approved colors Arsenal Tech: white, green, black or red Broad Ripple: orange, black or white Crispus Attucks: gold, green, white or navy blue Gambold Prep: orange, blue and white Harshman: white, black and green John Marshall: red, white, navy or light blue Key Learning: navy blue or silver Longfellow: light blue, navy blue, black and white Northwest: green, white, black or gray Shortridge: blue, white or black Washington: purple, white or black Other Alternative Schools: white or navy blue Note: No T-shirts Style Straight, button-down collar Turtleneck or mock turtleneck collar Long or short sleeves May be polo style No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 on the shirt other than approved school logo Shirt must be tucked into pants or shorts at all times B. Undershirts Solid colors: approved school shirt colors Long or short sleeves Must be tucked in at all times C. Pants/Shorts Solid colors: navy blue, black or khaki Note: No denim/blue jeans allowed Pleated or flat in the front Fastened at the waist Pants must be worn with a belt and set above the hip. Walking length shorts limited to 2 (inches) above the knee 6 IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE
D. Sweaters/sweater vests/fleece jackets (must be worn over an approved shirt) Solid colors: School shirt colors Note: No hoods allowed E. Sweatshirts Solid colors: approved school shirt colors Note: No hoods allowed V-neck Crew neck Cardigan No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 other than approved school logo Collar must extend over sweater/jacket neckline Must be worn over an approved collared shirt Collar must extend over sweatshirt F. Shoes Any color acceptable Closed toes Closed heel or strap heel G. Boots Any color acceptable Any style acceptable H. Socks Solid colors: black, white, navy blue, khaki, brown I. Belts (required) No logos May be any color May be made out of cloth or leather If waistband is elastic and does not have loops, no belt required. Belt required with all clothing that includes belt loops IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE 7
Secondary Schools IPS Uniform Dress Code for Secondary Females A. Solid shirts/blouses in approved colors Arsenal Tech: white, green, black or red Broad Ripple: orange, black or white Crispus Attucks: gold, green, white or navy blue Gambold Prep: orange, blue and white Harshman: white, black and green John Marshall: red, white, navy or light blue Key Learning: navy blue or silver Longfellow: light blue, navy blue, black and white Northwest: green, white, black or gray Shortridge: blue, white or black Washington: purple, white or black Other Alternative Schools: white or navy blue Style Straight, button-down collar Turtleneck or mock turtleneck collar Cowl neck Long or short sleeves May be polo style No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 on the shirt other than approved school logo Shirt must be tucked into pants or shorts at all times Note: No T-shirts B. Undershirts Solid colors: approved school shirt colors C. Pants, shorts, skirts, capri pants, walking length shorts Solid colors: khaki, black or navy blue Note: Solid navy blue or black shorts may be worn under a skirt provided they do not show. No denim/blue jeans allowed. No visible camisoles or other attire considered by the principal to be underwear Long or short sleeves Must be tucked in at all times Pleated or flat in the front Fastened at the waist Pants must be worn with a belt and set above the hip Walking length shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers limited to 2 (inches) above the knee 8 IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE
D. Sweaters/sweater vests/fleece jackets Solid colors: approved school shirt colors Note: No hoods allowed E. Sweatshirts Solid colors: approved school shirt colors Note: No hoods allowed V-neck Crew neck Cardigan No logo larger than 1 x 1 1 /2 other than approved school logo Must be worn over an approved collared shirt. Collar must extend over sweater/jacket neckline Must be worn over an approved collared shirt Collar must extend over sweatshirt F. Shoes Any color acceptable Closed toes Closed heel or strap heel G. Boots Any color acceptable Any style acceptable H. Socks/Tights/Pantyhose/Leggings Solid colors: approved school shirt colors No stripes, polka dots or other designs No fishnet I. Belts (required) No logos May be any color May be made out of cloth or leather If waistband is elastic and does not have loops, no belt required. Belt required with all clothing that includes belt loops J. Accessories Note: Handbags, purses, pocketbooks, fanny packs and similar items must be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches (size of a regular sheet of notebook paper), 3 to 4 inches thick, and must not be large enough to contain a regular size textbook No clothing (such as shawls) to be worn over pants, skirts or shorts IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE 9
K-12 ACCEPTABLE DRESS-UP ATTIRE Students will be allowed to dress up for special, limited days of the year (such as Honors Day and Picture Day) at the discretion of the principal. The following guidelines apply to dress-up days: GIRLS BOYS Dresses: Must be no more than 2 (inches) above the knee, must have sleeves, must not show cleavage, and must not be skintight. No spandex, see-through or denim materials. Skirts: Must be no more than 2 (inches) above the knee. No spandex, see-through or denim materials. Must be worn above the hip. Pants: Must not be skintight. No spandex, see-through or denim materials. Must be worn above the hip. Blouses/Tops: Must have sleeves. Must be long enough to tuck. No T-shirts, thermal, velour, spandex, see-through or denim materials. No cleavage visible. Must not be skintight. Blouses/tops may not extend below jacket (if worn). Shoes: No athletic shoes. Shirts: Button-up shirt with sleeves. Must not extend below jacket (if worn). Pants: No athletic pants. No denim. Must be worn above the hip. Shoes: No athletic shoes. Tie: Tie optional. No student shall be considered non-compliant with the uniform dress policy in the following instances: 1. When a student wears a button, armband or other accessory to exercise the right to freedom of expression as provided by law, unless the button, armband or other accessory signifies or is related to: gangs, gang membership or gang activity; hate groups; lewd or profane expressions, symbols or signs; drugs and/or drug use; drinking or alcohol; derogatory statements or expressions; etc. The principal or his/her designee will make the official determination of the appropriateness of the button or other expression of speech. 2. When a student wears the uniform of a nationally recognized youth organization, such as the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts, on regular meeting days. 3. When a student wears the uniform of JROTC or other school military programs on the required uniform days. 4. When a student s parent or guardian has secured a waiver from the uniform policy by following the procedures for obtaining a waiver. 5. When a student is on campus outside of the normal school hours. 10 IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE
RESTRICTED ATTIRE The following articles of clothing or styles of dress are strictly forbidden while in IPS schools, or while attending athletic events or other school-sponsored activities during school hours: r No hats worn in building during the school day r No denim pants, shirts, shorts, skirts, skorts, capris, jumpers or jackets r No over-sized pants or shirts r No pants worn below the waist or sagging r No overalls or coveralls r No sweatpants/sweat suits, jogging pants/suits, warm-up pants/suits, athletic pants/shorts r No knit, nylon, spandex, biking or gym shorts or pants r No spandex, nylon or knit tightly fitted clothes r No skintight dresses or tops r No tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, mesh tops, midriff tops, spaghetti strap tops r No sleeveless tops r No shirts with ruffles r No shirts made of shiny materials r No t-shirts or tall tees r No hooded jackets, hooded sweaters, hooded shirts r No sunglasses r No pajama tops or bottoms r No thongs/slippers/sandals/bare feet/exposed toes r No heelies or wheelies (i.e. athletic shoes with skates) r No clothing or other item with offensive, lewd, vulgar, obscene or hate language, slogans or pictures r No coats worn in the school building during the regular school day unless principals waive the rule because of cold temperatures in the building. r No buttons, jewelry or other accessories containing lewd, vulgar, obscene, hate or offensive messages or pictures or which advocate or advertise the use of drugs or alcohol r No secret society, fraternity or sorority symbols or lettering r No hair rollers, combs, picks, or cosmetology clamps r No scarves, head rags, doo rags, bandanas, sweatbands, hats, caps or other head coverings (Note: Approval for certain religious customs are permitted by approval of the school administration, i.e. Muslim female head coverings, Jewish male head covering) r No visible underpants, thongs, bras, camisoles or other clothing items considered by the principal to be undergarments. r No clothing altered by cuts, slits or holes or that in any way exposes the skin r No detachable gold teeth or fangs (unless required by a dentist with written documentation on file) r No grills! Anything else the principal or designee deems inappropriate or disruptive to the educational environment will be prohibited. IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE 11
IPS CULTURE IMPERATIVES 1. Children come first! 2. All employees are accountable for student achievement that meets or exceeds state standards. 3. All employees will demonstrate professionalism and integrity. 4. Student success is the only option. 5. Potential is discovered and nurtured. 6. Academic rigor is the norm. 7. Communication is clear, open and timely. 8. Students, parents, families and community members are essential partners. 9. Diversity is valued as demonstrated by culturally competent practices. 10. Facilities are safe, clean, secure and inviting. 12 IPS UNIFORM DRESS CODE
Excellence. Scholarship. Respect. Courage.
Excellence. Scholarship. Respect. Courage. Indianapolis Public Schools Administrative Building The John Morton-Finney Center for Educational Services 120 E. Walnut St., Room 114 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 (317) 226-4649 www.ips.k12.in.us www.dresscode.ips.k12.in.us Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Indpls IN Permit #4808 Indianapolis Excellence. Public Scholarship. Schools Respect. Courage.