Dress Code

General Information

The dress code for Emmanuel Christian Academy is divided into two basic sections: the elementary dress code, which is designed to be modest and functional for both the classroom and the playground; and the high school dress code, which helps to create an atmosphere of scholastic achievement without the pressures of current fads. Basic guidelines for both codes can be found here, and more specific questions can be answered by any member of the Academy administration.

The administration of Emmanuel Christian Academy reserves the right to determine if dress or appearance is appropriate. Parents will be notified of inappropriate dress or appearance and will be given a description of the necessary steps to correct the problem. This may, on occasion, require a parent to come to the Academy to pick up the student or to bring the necessary items to school so that the student may change into appropriate attire.

Believing that our outward appearance is a reflection of our heart and mind, Emmanuel Christian Academy expects all parents to exercise good taste and judgment at all times in the dress of their children who are students at the Academy. Through our clothing and hairstyles we either draw attention to ourselves, or we magnify the Lord. The dress code applies to all school functions unless otherwise specified.

General Policies for All Students

Hats are not to be worn in school except for sports practices and other outdoor activities.
Any item of clothing that is considered part of an inappropriate fad, shabby, or extreme will not be allowed.
No sloppy or oversized clothing will be allowed.
Winter coats are not to be worn in the building unless permission is granted by the administration.
All clothing is expected to be neat, clean, and wrinkle-free.
The school dress code is to be followed at all school functions (such as, but not limited to, programs, ball games, etc.) on or off campus unless otherwise instructed. This includes evening and weekend events.
Zippered vests and any hooded garments are considered outdoor wear and are not to be worn in the building.
Snow boots and work boots are for outdoor use only.
Light-up sneakers are not allowed.

Elementary Girls

The Elementary School Edition of the Dress Code may be downloaded in PDF format.

Skirts and Blouses

Our young ladies are to wear solid navy, khaki, black, or denim skirts or jumpers. Skirts must not have extra cargo pockets or a curved hem at the bottom.
All elementary outfits should reach the middle of the knee when sitting or standing. It is wise to make or purchase dresses with hems that allow for growth and to check the length of girls' dresses to be sure they meet the standards.
Slits in jumpers or skirts may not go above the required length of the dress.
Pants, culottes, or shorts are not to be worn. In severely cold weather, slacks may be worn under the skirt or jumper when the student is outside of the building. The slacks must be removed upon arrival at school and can be put on again before the student leaves the school building.
Collared, long- or short-sleeved, solid-colored polo shirts that have no writing, design, or manufacturer's logo on them are to be worn. Solid-colored oxford dress shirts or "Peter Pan" blouses may also be worn.
Turtlenecks are acceptable under jumpers or sweaters only.
All shirts should be tucked into the skirt or jumper.
Solid-colored sweaters are also acceptable, but a collared shirt must be visible underneath.

Shoes and Socks

All girls are to wear socks or tights. Elementary girls should not wear stockings or hose.
Elementary girls may wear athletic shoes or simple flats, but all shoes must have backs on them.

Accessories

Makeup is not to be used by elementary girls. This includes lip gloss, glitter, eye makeup, etc.
Earrings can be worn in the lower lobe and only with a maximum of two earrings per ear.
Ankle bracelets and toe rings are not acceptable.

Elementary Boys

The Elementary School Edition of the Dress Code may be downloaded in PDF format.

Shirts

Collared, long- or short-sleeved, solid-colored polo shirts that have no writing, design, or manufacturer's logo on them are acceptable for classroom attire. Long-sleeved oxford dress shirts may also be worn. Turtlenecks are acceptable under sweaters only.
All shirts must be tucked in.
All shirt buttons must be fastened except for the top button.
A solid-colored sweater may also be worn, provided that a collared shirt or turtleneck is visible underneath.

Slacks

Boys may wear navy, khaki, or black pants, or neat denim jeans. All pants must not have extra loops or cargo pockets.
Corduroy pants meeting the same conditions as jeans are also acceptable.
Pant cuffs may be neatly rolled if trousers or pants are too long.
No pants should have elastic at the bottom of the leg.
Pants should fit neatly and appropriately with no sagging.

Hair

Conventional hairstyles must be kept neat and combed at all times. Hair must be off the ears, off the collar, and at least one finger's width above the eyebrows.
Hair must be cut in a generally tapered manner.

Accessories

Belts must be worn in all pants with belt loops, and the belt must be visible; this means that the shirt must be tucked in neatly.
Boys may not wear necklaces, earrings, or bracelets.

High School Dress Code

All students in the seventh through twelfth grades are required to wear uniforms purchased through Lands' End. The Academy has chosen several styles of Lands' End clothing to make available to our students, and those styles are listed for your convenience below. A PDF file has also been prepared as a brief summary of the dress code.

Ordering from Lands' End is easy, and through their School Contribution Program, Emmanuel Christian Academy can receive 3% of your total purchase as a contribution to the school from Lands' End. When you order, please be sure to use our School Preferred Number!

Lands' End

By phone: (800) 469-2222
By Internet: Lands' End School Uniforms
School Preferred Number: 9000-8837-8

High School Boys

The High School Boys' Edition of the Dress Code may be downloaded in PDF format.

Shirts

All shirts must be tucked in.
All buttons (including collar buttons on oxford shirts) must be buttoned. The top button is optional, except when a tie is worn. Polo shirts can be any solid color made by Lands' End in the Mesh or Interlock style (except the faded/bleached style). Oxford shirts can be white, blue, or French blue.
When sweaters or vests are worn, a polo, oxford, or turtleneck with a visible collar must be worn underneath. Sweaters and vests can be any solid color made by Lands' End in the "Drifter" style, including v-neck, crewneck, cardigan, or vests.
Oxford shirts and a conservative tie must be worn on chapel days. The tie may be removed after lunch.
Turtlenecks may only be worn under sweaters or vests. They are not to be worn with cardigan sweaters. Turtlenecks can be any solid color made by Lands' End.
Any t-shirt worn under a uniform shirt must be a plain white shirt with no printing.

Pants

Pants should be pleated or plain front, in khaki, gray, classic navy, or black.
Pants should be hemmed appropriately and should not be frayed, tight, or sagging.
Belts must be worn with all pants and must be visible.

Shoes and Socks

Dress shoes or loafers are preferred.
Rugged work boots, hiking boots, or shoes, and sandals are not appropriate.
Socks are to be worn at all times and must come above the ankle.
Athletic shoes are appropriate for PE classes and sports practices only.

Accessories

Hats are not to be worn in the school building. They may only be worn for sports practices, PE classes, and other outdoor activities.
Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and ankle bracelets may not be worn at school or at any other school function.

Hair

Hair must be off of the collar and not be bushy. The front must be at least one finger's width off of the eyebrows.
Sideburns should not extend below the middle of the ears and should be neatly trimmed.
Extreme haircuts that are imitations of current pop culture styles and fads are not appropriate. Hair styles should be conservatively cut and evenly tapered in the back and over the ears.
Hair notices will be issued to boys whose hair is considered to be too long or otherwise inappropriate. The notice should be returned to the Academy office on the next school day, having been signed by the parent. Hair should be corrected by the date indicated on the form.
Boys must be clean-shaven. No facial hair is allowed.

Women's uniforms

The High School Girls' Edition of the Dress Code may be downloaded in PDF format.

Shirts and Blouses

All shirts must be tucked in.
All buttons (including collar buttons on oxford shirts) must be buttoned. The top button is optional. Polo shirts can be any solid color made by Lands' End in the Mesh or Interlock style (except the faded/bleached style). Oxford shirts can be white, blue, or French blue.
When sweaters or vests are worn, a polo, oxford, or turtleneck with a visible collar must be worn underneath. Sweaters and vests can be any solid color made by Land's End in the "Drifter" style, including v-neck, crewneck, cardigan, or vests.
Turtlenecks may only be worn under sweaters or vests. They should not be worn with cardigan sweaters. Turtlenecks can be any solid color made by Lands' End.
For modesty's sake, white and yellow shirts may only be worn under sweaters or vests.
Oxford shirts must be worn on chapel days.
Ties are never to be worn by young ladies.
Any t-shirt worn under a uniform shirt must be a plain white shirt with no printing.

Skirts

Skirts (midcalf length) can be desert khaki, true navy, or black.
Skirts must not be tight. They must be able to move freely over the hips.
Belts must be worn with all skirts and must be visible.

Shoes and Socks

Casual flats or loafers are preferred.
Backless shoes are not appropriate.
All shoes may have soles no more than 1" in thickness.
Nylons and dress shoes must be worn on chapel days; nylons or socks that come above the ankle and appropriate shoes are to be worn on non-chapel days.
Athletic shoes are appropriate for PE classes and sports practices only.

Jewelry

Earrings can be worn in the lower lobe and with a maximum of two earrings per ear.
Ankle bracelets and toe rings are not acceptable.

Fads

Extreme or faddish clothing and hairstyles are inappropriate.
No bleached or unnatural hair coloring is appropriate. Basic highlighting is allowed.
No glitter makeup or tattoo-looking designs are acceptable.
Nail polish colors should be chosen from standard pink, red, orange, and transparent hues only. Non-traditional colors, such as green, blue, black, purple, etc., are not allowed.

Banquet Attire

Banquet and formal attire must adhere to the following basic standards; however, the administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of a dress or gown on an individual basis.

No low or revealing necklines are allowed.
No immodest slits.
No ultra-sheer fabrics. Full length slips are to be worn when necessary.
Dress straps must be at least 2" in width. No spaghetti-strapped, strapless, or single-strapped dresses are allowed.

All dresses or gowns must be approved by the administration prior to any banquet or event.

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