Dress Code

Syracuse Arts Academy believes that a mandatory school dress code policy will provide a more secure school environment, promote an atmosphere for greater discipline, and increase learning opportunities for students by removing many of the distractions and connotations associated with various types of clothing.

All students are required to follow the dress code policy. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children wear the designated school clothing as outlined below.  School administration and professional staff will enforce the Dress Code and assist students who are out of compliance to correct any dress code issues. Dress Code violations may be considered a student discipline issue and may result in disciplinary action up to and including parent contact, in-school suspension, Saturday School or out-of-school suspension.

Colors

  • Shirts must be of a collared style and of a solid color, either white, red, dark green, navy blue, black, or light or dark gray (see above) with standard buttons. 
  • Appropriate collared styles are blouse, polo, oxford, turtleneck, or dress shirt.
  • No screen printing or logo shirts should be visible unless they are on school shirts or logos.
  • Collared style shirts with the school name or logo are acceptable and available for purchase.
  • Sweaters or vests may be worn in solid white, red, dark green, navy blue, black, or light or dark gray. 
  • Hoodies:  Hoodies must be solid white, red, dark green, navy blue, black, or light or dark gray sweatshirts with hoods (hereafter referred to as “hoodies”).  Both pullover and zip-up styles may be worn in class for physical comfort.  No logos may be on the hoodies unless they are the official school name/logo.  
  • School shirts must be worn under hoodies at all times.
  • Hoods may not be worn on the head while in the school building.
  • Dresses, skirts (may be approved green plaid), jumpers, skorts, shorts, capris or pants that are solid navy blue, tan, black, or light or dark gray.
  • Skirts, shorts or skorts are to be no shorter than two inches above the kneecap.
  • No denim or athletic wear.
  • Socks or tights should be worn at all times for health and safety reasons and should not be distracting in nature.
  • Smooth opaque and/or light weight tights in school colors may also be worn. 
  • Inconspicuous shorts may be worn under skirts and jumpers. 
  • If leggings are worn, they must be worn under a skirt, skort or top of the appropriate length (the skirt, skort or top must be no more than two inches above the knee).  Leggings will not be allowed to replace pants.    
  • Plain white, red, dark green, navy blue, black, or light or dark gray undershirts may be worn under school shirts to provide for additional modesty and for warmth.
  • Belts are recommended and should not be distracting in nature.
  • Ties/scarves are optional and must be in a school approved color.
  • Shoes must not be open-toed, backless, lighted, rolling or otherwise designed to make a sound.

Dress and grooming standards are part of the SAA dress code policy and are mandatory.

  • Students must follow the dress code during school hours, except under specially designated circumstances which will be communicated to parents and students.  
  • Students must also follow the dress code for all before and after school programs, except where activities permit alternate attire (i.e. sports, dances, special events, etc.).
  • Students must present a modest, clean, and neat appearance at all times. All clothing must be clean, appropriately sized, and worn correctly. Shirts must be buttoned. Bottoms must be worn at the waist.  Shoes must be tied or fastened.  Clothing must be worn right-side-out. 
  • Clothing shall not be excessively worn or have holes.
  • Jewelry or hair accessories that are appropriate for wear at school and are not a distraction may be worn.
  • Hair must be kept neat and have a combed appearance and be appropriate for school. No extreme hair color or styles.  Hair color should be a color that naturally occurs on people.
  • Any makeup worn should be appropriate for school.
  • No hats or head coverings may be worn in the building.
  • Outer wear that is worn for warmth to and from school and at outside recess is not considered a dress code item. Any sweaters or hoodies worn inside the classroom must be consistent with school dress code colors, and requirements.
  • Distracting drawings on the skin, tattoos, or visible piercing, other than the ear, will not be allowed.
  • Sunglasses should not be worn in the building.
  • Costume Wear is not permitted.

Dress items not specifically listed above but considered inappropriate or contrary to the purpose statement in the School Dress Code Policy are subject to review, interpretation, and final disposition by the school administration

  • Students may be allowed to wear a designated school spirit shirt or hoodie on select days determined by the school administration.
  • Spirit shirts may be worn for Jr. High P.E but not under uniform shirts as part of the daily dress code.

7-9 grade students must change for their P.E. class.  

  • Tops:  Plain white, red, black, or gray t-shirt or sweatshirt.
  • Bottoms: Plain gray, red, black, or navy blue knee-length athletic shorts or sweatpants
  • Footwear: Socks are required. Shoes must be athletic, and non-marking.

This specific school uniform should be worn for all field trips and other specifically designated occasions.

  • K-6 grade students wear a solid red top (with or without the school logo) and solid navy uniform bottoms.
  • 7-9 grade students wear a solid red top (with or without the school logo) and solid tan uniform bottoms.

On Dress Your Way Days and other specified occasions this dress code will be used. Students are still expected to dress in a manner that positively impacts the learning environment.  Clothing must be modest, tasteful, and must not compromise safety standards for our students.  Students may wear clothing of their choice as long as they are within the guidelines below.

The following clothing will not be permitted:

  • Tight clothing
  • Baggy or sagging pants or shorts.
  • Excessively oversized jackets or coats, including trench coats.
  • Slippers or bare or stocking feet.  
  • Open toe or heeled shoes.
  • Clothing that is torn, ripped or frayed. 
  • Short shorts/skirts. The length must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. 
  • Tank tops
  • Shirts without sleeves.
  • Sheer material.  Must have modest clothing underneath.
  • Clothing with exposed midriffs, buttocks, or cleavage
  • Clothing which displays obscene, vulgar, lewd or sexually explicit or implicit words, messages or pictures. 
  • Clothing that advertises a substance a student cannot legally possess or use. 
  • Clothing that advertises or may represent gang affiliation, including colors, numbers, or brand names.
  • Pajamas.
  • Costume Wear.

Coaches, teachers, advisors, or administration may choose to allow teams, groups, clubs, etc. or the general student body to attend school in “Best Dress.” Students are expected to dress up in professional attire such as pants or slacks, dress shirt and tie, a dress, skirt, or dress pants and a blouse. 

 Inappropriate dress under this policy includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Denim
  • Bare shoulders or backs. 
  • Revealing clothing.

Dress that may be construed as inappropriate under this policy includes, but is not limited to:

  • Denim,
  • Bare shoulders or backs,
  • Revealing clothing, and/or
  • Short skirts/shorts.

A Note on Dance Behavior: Students that exhibit any behavior that is inappropriate or may potentially harm themselves or any student around them may be removed from the dance. Behavior that is considered inappropriate under this policy includes, but is not limited to: vulgar, seductive, or inappropriate movements; “freaking”, freak dancing, grinding; “moshing”, dancing in a “mosh pit”; slamming, where students are violently pushing or shoving others; crowd surfing, passing students overhead or through the crowd and running through or around the dance area etc.

This policy is intended to create a framework to meet the purpose as stated at the beginning of this policy. As styles change, or if questions arise, the school administration, as the Board of Directors’ designee, has the authority to determine if a student’s dress is in keeping with this policy.

Board Approved: 6/17/2022
Dress Code PDF

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    Ballroom / Gym
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    PT Conferences - early out

    April 17-18

    Purple Up Day/Wear Purple
    Celebrate the Child Night
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