Stuart-Hobson Middle School

SY 2024-25 Uniform Policy & Dress Code Expectations

We are excited to share the upcoming school year's uniform policy and dress code expectations so everyone can plan this summer. We hope that the policy allows us to maintain some community and school pride while encouraging some individualism as well. The most notable changes to the policy for returning families are as follows and the full policy is below:

1. Clothing bottoms can now be khaki OR black in color.

2. Each grade level has their own assigned color (6th - Red, 7th - Gray, 8th - Black)

Additional information about where to buy uniform shirts with logos or SHMS/Cluster clothing, uniform swaps, bulk purchases, and other updates will be shared later this summer. Please reach out with any questions as you prepare your student's wardrobe for next year!

Student Uniform Policy & Dress Code

The SHMS uniform policy is designed to maintain school pride and traditions while contributing to a safe and predictable school experience for students and families.

School uniforms or other apparel that identifies our school are required while on school property, field trips (before or after school day hours), while attending After-School All-Stars and school-approved activities after 3:30 PM, unless athletic, dance or other specific apparel is required by the coach/leader.

Uniforms include:

• Long or short-sleeved solid polo, button-up collared shirt, or T-shirt. An SHMS logo is optional. Any non-SHMS logo on uniform shirts or sweatshirts must be the size of a $1 bill (1 dollar) or smaller. Grade levels are assigned shirt colors as follows:
  6th Grade: Red
  7th Grade: Gray (jersey or other light/medium shades preferred, avoid darker shades to stand out from 8th grade)
  8th Grade: Black

• Plain red, black, or white crewneck sweaters/sweatshirts (front zip, button up, or pullover) and vests. No hoods.
• Long sleeved, plain color, crew/V-neck shirts may be worn underneath uniform shirts.
• Chino ("khaki") pants, skirts, or shorts, worn at waist level and without tears or rips. Jumpers are also acceptable. All should be solid khaki/tan or black in color. No jeans/denim.
• Comfortable closed-toed shoes or sneakers covering the entire foot. Shoes and sneakers should lace-up or fit snugly. No sandals, slippers/slides, or Crocs.
• Any clothing that identifies our school community by name or logo (e.g. Stuart-Hobson MS or the Capitol Hill Cluster School) may be worn in place of uniform components. SHMS/Cluster hoodies are allowed but students should not wear hoods during the school day.

Dress Code

• While students may wear some of the following to and from school, they are expected to avoid wearing all of the following during the school day, on trips, and in after-school activities:
• Hooded coats, shirts, and sweatshirts,
• Outerwear like jackets, fleeces, parkas, windbreakers, etc.,
• Hats and other head/face coverings (e.g. winter/baseball hats, ski masks, bonnets, goggles, scarves, masks, etc.)
• Metal studs on headbands and other accessories
• Khaki/black leggings/ tights (worn in place of khaki/black pants).
• Small purses or fanny packs

Religious, medical, or other personal exemptions/exceptions to any of the above expectations should be made by parents/families and documented with the school culture and/or administrative teams prior to taking effect.

School uniforms may be purchased via Lands End, Target, Old Navy and other retailers. More information regarding our school uniform policy will be shared via our school handbook.

Uniform Non-Compliance

Students should comply with the uniform policy daily and will be recognized for compliance with LiveSchool points, eligibility for trips and other activities, and other rewards. Uniform policy violations will be documented in Live School. Some uniform deficiencies can be remedied by the support team but the loss of instructional time should be avoided when supporting students in complying with the policy. Incidents and patterns of infractions will be handled like other Tier 1 and 2 infractions.