Dress Code
American Leadership Academy’s Board of Trustees believes the dress code was created to help promote unity by encouraging a sense of belonging and pride and helping discourage bullying, victmization and socio-economic discrimination. It reduces social pressure and peer conflicts and encourages students to concentrate more on their studies than on their wardrobe by creating a learning environment free of unnecessary distractions. Experience has demonstrated that the learning atmosphere is improved when students both look and dress appropriately.
Quick Guide
Shirts
- Shirts must be a solid white, navy blue, red, or gray polo shirt or collared button up. Maroon and similar shades of red are not permitted. Black shirts are not permitted.
- When non-collared shirts are worn over collared shirts, the two shirts may be different colors, provided both are either white, navy blue, red or gray.
- Non-ALA logos such as a Nike swoosh or Polo emblem are permissible provided such logos are no greater than approximately three inches.
- Undershirts must be solid red, gray, white or navy blue and free of any print, design or competing logos
- Shirts must hang below the natural waistline when arms are raised above the head so that no skin is showing.
- Any see-through sheer material is not acceptable unless a solid, non-see through, capped or sleeved shirt is worn underneath.
Pants
- Uniform style pants must be khaki, tan, black, gray, or navy blue in color.
- Pants must be worn at or above the natural waist.
- Tight pants such as leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, or sweatpants are not allowed. Leggings are permissible if worn underneath a compliant dress, jumper, short, skirt, or skort, and are of an appropriate school approved color.
- No blue jeans allowed except on Thursday for Spirit day.
- Pants must not be faded, have holes or frays in them.
Dresses and Jumpers
- Uniform style dresses/jumpers are permitted as long as they are solid colored; red, navy, tan, gray or khaki.
- Denim dresses/jumpers are not permitted.
- Dresses/jumpers must be knee length.
- Dresses/jumpers must have a collar or be worn with a dress code appropriate shirt underneath them.
Skirts/Skorts and Shorts
- Uniform style skirts/skorts/shorts must be solid colored khaki, tan, black, gray, or navy blue.
- Skirts/skorts/shorts must be knee length or longer.
- Denim, fleece, and/or athletic shorts are prohibited.
- Denim, fleece, and/or athletic skirts/skorts are prohibited.
Shoes
- Students; shoes must be consistent with the spirit of ALA’s dress code, which is for students to present a professional image that does not distract from the learning environment. The school principal will havefinal say on whether shoes violate the dress code.
- Students may wear athletic, casual or dress shoes.
- Students’ shoes must not be distracting or have lights or charms.
- Shoes with wheels are strictly prohibited.
- Shoes must be a matching pair.
- Shoes must have closed toes and heels.
- Slippers, flip flops, house slippers, strapless or foam/resin clogs and dance footwear are prohibited (unless
- otherwise specified by the school for an appropriate activity).
- Athletic shoes are required for P.E.
Outerwear
- Outerwear refers to all coats, jackets, sweatshirts, cardigans, hoodies, sweaters, etc. worn inside school buildings.
- Outerwear must either be obtained by ALA or be solid colored white, red, gray, or navy blue.
- Students wearing hoodies must keep hoods down and hoodies must be turned right side out when on campus.
- Non-ALA logos such as a Nike swoosh or polo emblem are permissible provided such logos are no greater than approximately three inches.
- Students must wear collared button-up or polo shirts underneath outerwear.
- Denim outerwear is prohibited.
Jewelry
- Jewelry must be conservative, and not a distraction.
- No gauge earrings, nose rings, nose piercing studs or place holders, or lip piercing, etc. are allowed.
- Visible body piercing jewelry (plugs, etc.) are not permitted.
- Wallet chains or similar items are prohibited.
- Chokers or chains around the neck are prohibited.
- Sunglasses may not be worn inside the school buildings.
Cosmetics
- Makeup should be natural looking and not disruptive to the educational environment.
- Visible tattoos (permanent or temporary) must be covered.
- Fake tattoos, (which includes hand drawn or stick on), are not allowed.
Hair
- Hair must be kept neat, clean, and have a combed appearance.
- Extreme hair designs and unnatural hair colors are not permitted.
- Students are not allowed to shave any symbol or design in their hair.
- Students must be clean shaven. Sideburns can be no longer than the middle of the ear.
Head Coverings and Hats
- No hats or bandanas may be worn inside the school buildings.
- Sweatshirt hoods or hoods from other garments may not be worn inside the school buildings.
Accessories
- Belts: May be leather, simulated, flat, braided, woven or stretch, but must be all black or all brown.
- Belt buckles: May not have inappropriate graphics or logos.
- Ties, scarves and hair accessories must be solid or patterned in school colors. No graphics, logos or lettering are allowed.
- Socks: Must be matching in color. No fishnet stockings.
- Backpacks may not display skulls, drug/alcohol, or gang pictures or references.
The Following Additional Guidelines Have Been Established
- Students must adhere to the dress code during school hours, except under special circumstances, which will be determined by Administration.
- Students must present a professional, modest, clean and neat appearance at all times. All clothing must be clean, appropriately sized and correctly worn. Clothing must be worn right-side out. No torn or ripped clothing is permitted.
- Student dress code will be worn during field trips.
- ANY DRESS CODE ITEMS NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED ABOVE ARE NOT ALLOWED.
Spirit Dress Code Days
You may wear a dress code shirt, spirit shirt, spirit hoodie or ALA issued shirt or hoodie in dress code colors. A spirit shirt may be worn under the ALA approved hoodie. You may wear dress code pants or blue jeans with no holes. No sweats or basketball shorts are allowed.
PE/Fine Arts Classes
Any student participating in these classes must purchase an approved school uniform for that particular class and wear it during the class. This approved clothing must be in the school colors flag red, navy blue, gray or white with an ALA logo.
Uniforms/Team Wear
All uniforms, team wear, and spirit wear must be in the school colors of flag red, navy blue or white and contain an ALA logo on the front of the top.
Dress Dance Code
American Leadership Academy High School dances are school events and reflect the values and standards of our school. The ALA Dance Dress Code will be strictly enforced at all formal dances and must be followed by all students attending which includes ALA students and their guests. Anyone not in compliance with the Dress Code will not be admitted to the dance and refunds will not be issued. If you are bringing a date from another school, it is your responsibility to make him/her aware of the ALA Dance Dress Code.
Guidelines:
•Necklines of a dress, top, or gown must go straight across from top of armpit to top of armpit with no cleavage showing.
• No strapless or backless tops.
• No exposed undergarments or sleepwear.
• Backlines and sides must cover the torso, chest and back and should be no lower than a normal bra strap.
• Cut-outs or any exposure of chest, midriff, thigh, naval or abdomen are not permitted.
• The dress, skirt, or gown must be no shorter than the student’s mid-thigh. This includes slits in dresses or skirts.
• The garment should not be excessively tight and should allow free movement without necessity of adjustment.
• Because of differing body types, the same dress may be acceptable on one person, but not on another.
• No pinning is allowed as an alteration for a dress if without the pinning the dress does not meet dress code.
• Dresses need to meet the above guidelines without adding any jacket or cover-up that may be removed once inside the dance.
Prohibited items:
1. Shirtless or unbuttoned shirts.
2. Clothing that displays an insignia or sign which shows disrespect for any race, creed, color, or nationality.
3. Clothing that displays obscene or suggestive phrases, immoral or illegal behavior.
4. Cult or gang apparel.
5. Bandannas, baseball caps, or hats.
School administration has the final judgement in determining compliance with the Dress Code and making the subjective determination of modesty. Students are advised to err on the side of modesty and formality. Please do not put school administrators in the difficult position of upholding school standards or let yourself or your date be embarrassed by being called out for violating our school’s dress code and asked to leave the dance.
Exceptions to the Uniform Dress Code Policy may be granted for medical necessity, cultural, or religious beliefs provided that justification is submitted to and approved by campus administration. Requests for medical, cultural, or religious accommodations should be made as soon as possible after identifying potential conflicts with the Dress Code Policy.