Dress Code

Heritage Academy’s dress code is intended to give a concrete, practical witness to the school’s commitment to fulfill its stated aims to honor God and disciple students.  It is designed to encourage modesty, decency, and propriety and to discourage the use of clothing as a significant means of establishing self-identity or gaining attention or social status (Matt. 6:28-34; I Cor 9:10-23; I Pet. 3:2-4; I Tim. 2:9-10; James 2:1-5).  The administrator or principal, or one designated to act in their stead, retains the authority to determine the appropriateness of a given student’s attire or hairstyle, and may remove from the campus or otherwise discipline any student deemed to be inappropriately dressed.  The administrator or principal also reserves the right to grant a limited variance to these regulations for special purposes, such as special dress days or instructional exercises, provided that high standards of modesty are always upheld.

All elements of the dress code are in force within the school grounds from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30p.m. on school days. Provisions and standards relating to modesty and decency should be respected by the students and are enforceable by the staff anywhere on the campus (inside the building or on the grounds) and at all times.

General Guidelines:

1. Appropriate dress must be purchased at Buckhead Uniform Company only.
   
   
2. All clothes must be neat and clean at the beginning of the day, and may not be torn, have fringed edges, or any other unusual features which call undue attention to themselves.
   
   
3. No clothing shall be excessively tight and form-fitting or excessively loose, or be of an immodest design or style.  All clothing shall be worn in a neat and modest manner.  This rule applies to any special dress days that occur throughout the year.
   
   
4. All lower body wear having belt loops must be worn with a belt. The hem of skirts (and jumpers) must be worn no higher than meeting the crease at the back of the knee. The hem of shorts must be no higher than two inches above the knee.
   
   
5. No upper body clothing may be worn around the waist, i.e. tying shirts, sweater, etc. by the clothing’s arms.
   
   
6. Plain, white t-shirts (no silk screen tees, etc.) or chemises are appropriate to be worn under upper body wear.  Layering of shirts is unacceptable.
   
   
7. The only winter wear to be worn in the building are approved Buckhead sweaters, fleece pullovers, or Heritage sweatshirts which must be worn over a collared shirt with collar exposed. Winter wear must be worn with regulation upper body wear (never alone).
   
   
8. Knit polo shirts may be left untucked as long as the undershirt is not visible. Any button up oxford shirt must be tucked in.
   
   
9. All students shall wear closed-toe athletic or leather shoes.  The exception to the closed-toe rule is sandals, but sandals must enclose the heel and/or have a back strap. Military-style boots are not acceptable foot wear.  All shoe laces must be tied.
   
   
10. Shoes must be worn with socks or hosiery with the exception of sandals. (See Rule 8 for guidelines concerning shoes.)  Socks must be a solid color.  Khaki, brown, blue, black, white, and red are the only acceptable colors for socks.  Hosiery colors may be navy, white, black or skin tone.
    
    
11. Hair must be kept groomed and clean and may not include bizarre coloring or styles.  Boys’ hair may not touch the collar of the shirt when the boy is standing, and may not cover the eyes.  Boys may not wear facial hair, nor may they wear sideburns extending lower than the top of the earlobe.
    
    
12. Boys may not wear earrings or other pierced jewelry.  Girls may wear only one earring per ear; no other pierced jewelry is allowed.  Girls (and girls only) may wear nail polish, but it must not be garish.
    
    
13. No one may wear a tattoo, either temporary or permanent.
    
    
14. No hats or other head coverings, such as bandannas, may be worn in the building.
    
    
15. Any article of clothing or item of jewelry deemed to be unusually distracting (due to color, pattern, cut, etc.) is unacceptable for school wear.