Uniforms

Students, staff, and faculty will dress up in an effort to achieve excellence as a school, beginning with excellence in personal appearance. In our appearance, we show our opinions about ourselves, respect what we are doing, and respect those with whom we spend our time. The Administration reserves the right to determine if a student is dressed and groomed appropriately. If a student’s dress is objectionable, the student will be given the opportunity to make the appropriate corrections. We may have extra uniforms in the main office for students to borrow for the day. For a student who is repeatedly out of uniform, the teacher will contact the parents along with adhering to the Family and Student Handbook.

Shoes, Socks, and Tights

Leggings or tights may be worn underneath jumpers, skorts, or skirts, but must be ankle-length or footed in a solid color—gray, navy, white, or black. Leggings are not to be worn without other bottoms on top. 

Shoes, socks, and shoelaces should be of the following colors: white, black, blue, brown, maroon, or gray. Shoes must be closed-toed, closed-heeled performance or dress shoes. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes that can be worn in the classroom, in gym class, and outdoors at recess. Students may not wear unapproved boots, high-heeled shoes, sandals, flip-flops, crocs, moccasins, or slippers.

Outdoor Options (K-8th)

Students may wear their outerwear (coats, sweaters, vests) to school and on the playground. If a student is cold in the classroom, he or she should wear one of the long-sleeved uniform items or the uniform sweater. 

Special Occasions

Some Fridays or special days throughout the year are designated as “Spirit Days.” On these days, students are permitted to wear Spirit Wear as tops. This includes HOCA T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, fleece pullovers, and quarter zips. Outerwear, including full-zip jackets, are not permitted to be worn during the course of the day. (Outerwear may be worn to and from school and on the playground.) Students must wear uniform bottoms on Spirit Days.

All school-sponsored events that occur during the school day, including field trips, are subject to school uniform policy unless parents are otherwise informed. 

Personal Appearance

Hair and Hair Accessories

Hair should be clean and well-groomed, and it must not interfere with a student’s ability to properly

engage in the academic environment. Hairstyles that are distracting to the learning environment are

not allowed. Words, symbols, and designs shaved into hair, including facial hair, are not allowed.

Unnatural hair coloring or streaking is not permitted. Boys must be clean-shaven.

Girls who wear hairbands, hair bows, or other accessories should choose items that are in the school

colors (maroon, white, grey, and gold), neutral colors (black or brown), or plaid (options available from Educational Apparel.) Students will be asked to remove any accessories that do not meet the specifications above.

Jewelry and Other Accessories

All jewelry should be simple and not distracting. Tongue rings and other visible body piercings,

including nose and eyebrow rings, are not allowed. Modest jewelry is allowed. An object that has a purpose other than jewelry may not be worn as jewelry (e.g., chains or collars). Students may wear no more than two necklaces at one time. Girls are permitted to put a maximum of two earrings per ear on the earlobe, and earrings must not be larger than a quarter. No stretched piercings (gauges) or holes may be visible. 

Hats and sunglasses are not to be worn in the building. Hats include visors and bandanas. Religious headgear is permitted when worn for religious purposes. 

The use of perfumes, oils, and body sprays by students should not inhibit the learning environment and smells should not be detectable during a normal school routine. Smells of this nature that saturate a room often cause headaches, exacerbate allergies, and cause disruption to the learning environment. Students will be excused to the front office to call home if this occurs. 

Makeup and Body Art

Makeup and nail polish must look natural. Colors such as black, red, yellow, orange, blue, green, rainbow, etc., are not acceptable. Tattoos must be covered at all times. Temporary tattoos that are visible on the body or face are not permitted. Students may not write or draw on themselves or each other.

Should a student require reasonable uniform alterations based on religion, disability, or medical condition, please contact the Headmaster or Assistant Headmaster. Please know that we will provide accommodations for these students.