Dress Code

The Rising Tide Dress Code was created by trustees, parents and teachers, and is designed to prevent students from being distracted by what they or other students are wearing, in order that the focus of their school experience will be on academics. Students should come dressed for the work of school, and are expected to be in Dress Code from the beginning of the school day until the end of the school day, including advisory, lunch and recess. We ask that Parents/Guardians support their children in complying with the Dress Code. The Dress Code is as follows:

Bottoms: Students may wear long pants, shorts or skirts. Skirts and shorts must pass the fingertip rule (with outstretched arms and hands at sides, fabric edge must be below fingertips). Acceptable clothing types for bottoms include twill, cargo, khaki, chinos, corduroy, denim, jeans and trousers.
Bottoms may not be ripped or torn. No pajama bottoms or leggings (as pants). No mini skirts, short shorts, or sagging pants. Athletic pants, athletic shorts, or sweatpants may be worn only during P.E. class or during a Discover activity. Unacceptable materials for pants and shorts in these categories include knit, fleece, flannel, velour and nylon.

Tops: Students may wear shirts with solid colors, stripes, checks, plaids or pattern prints. Shirts with a small logo (must be smaller than a 3”x3” post-it note) are acceptable. Rising Tide shirts or sweatshirts are also acceptable. Jackets, sweaters or sweatshirts must comply with the same rules as shirts.
Tops may not be ripped or torn. No tops with writing, advertising, or large graphic images (larger than a 3”x3” post-it note) are to be worn. Tops are not to be worn reversed. Low cut tops and bare midriffs are unacceptable. Halter tops, strapless tops, tube tops, backless tops, spaghetti strap tops, and tank tops are unacceptable.

Shoes: For safety’s sake, we recommend that the students do not wear open-toed shoes or high heels.

Accessories: Hats and other headgear are not to be worn in the school building at any time. Chains may not be worn as jewelry. Any accessories that contain inappropriate or gang-related messages are unacceptable.

Staff Interpretation: The school staff interprets the dress code. If a teacher or other staff member determines that a student’s clothing or accessories is unacceptable the teacher may ask the student to remove the item. The student is expected to comply with this request. Parents/Guardians of students who are in violation of Rising Tide’s Dress Code may be contacted and asked to bring appropriate clothing to the school. Repeated violation of the Dress Code may result in a Discipline Committee.