Policy 9210 – Student Dress Code

All students should be able to dress comfortably for school without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.

Teachers can focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.

Students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance.

Reasons for conflict and inconsistent identification of possible infractions should be minimized whenever possible.

Attire – Articles or aspects of personal appearance including, but not limited to: clothing, footwear, headwear, jewelry or accessories, wearable technology, book bags, body art, tattoos, or sunglasses.

Gang – A group of three or more individuals who engage in a pattern of destructive or delinquent activity for the benefit of the group’s members and/or for furthering the reputation of the group or individual. A gang shares a common identity, and members view themselves a cohesive group. The common gang identity may be one or more of the following:

Headwear – Any article worn on the head including, but not limited to, hats, scarves, bandanas, hoods, or visors.

Gender – The attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex.

Gender Expression – The external manifestation of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut, voice, or body characteristics.

Gender Identity – One’s internal, personal sense of his/her/their own gender.

Health – A state of positive physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the student:

Religion – A recognized system of belief or worship encompassing the nature of a deity and/or reality and the relationship of human beings to that deity and/or reality.

Religious Holiday – Significant traditional and customary day of religious observance, excluding regular weekly prayer, services, or practices.

Religious Obligation – Traditional and customary practice required of adherents to a religion.

Safety – The condition of being protected against physical and/or emotional harm.

School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g., school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity) or an activity in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body by being present (e.g., spectator at a school event).

The student dress code will be implemented equitably regardless of students’ race, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, religion, physical, mental, or educational disability, pregnancy, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, body type, body size, or personal style.

Students will wear attire that contributes to a safe school environment conducive to learning.

Students may wear attire of their choice that is otherwise not prohibited (See Section IV.F.).

Students may wear attire that aligns with their gender, gender expression, or gender identity.

Students may wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination.

Students must wear:

Students are not permitted to wear attire, including wearable technology that is disruptive to the school environment, that promotes illegal or harmful activities, or that could endanger the health or safety of that student or others during school hours and school-related activities. Prohibited attire includes, but is not limited to:

If a parent or student believes that the student, for religious obligations or medical reasons, must wear attire prohibited by this policy, the parent or student will consult with the principal. The principal may consult with the Office of School Management and Instructional Leadership in rendering a final decision.

Athletic gear is regulated by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA).