Dress Code Philosophy: 

Oak Ridge High School’s student dress code supports equitable educational access and is written in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes. To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size.  While it is the school’s responsibility to ensure that attire does not interfere with the health and safety of students, the primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents or guardians.

Basic Principles:

• Clothing must be worn in such a way that genitals, buttocks, and nipples are covered. Garments may not be sheer.   
• Clothing should cover, at minimum, all areas that would be covered by undergarments from all angles.  Undergarments are not a substitute for clothing.
• Clothes that depict alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs may not be worn at any time.
• Clothing with inappropriate images (including profanity, hate speech and pornography) may not be worn at any time.
• Clothing that poses a safety risk to others may not be worn at any time (spikes, etc.).
• Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance or as PPE (personal protective equipment)) may not be worn at any time. 
• Swim wear may only be worn in physical education classes (swim unit) or as part of an athletic uniform (swim/water polo).
• Footwear is required at all times.
• Dress code is enforced at all dances, athletic events, and all school activities.

Dress Code Purpose: 

• Establish a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed
• Allow students to wear comfortable clothing of their choice that expresses their self-identified gender
• Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination
• Prevent students from wearing clothing or accessories with offensive images or language (including profanity, hate speech, and pornography), that denote, suggest, display or reference alcohol, drugs, or related paraphernalia or other illegal conduct or activities, or that can reasonably be construed as being or including content that is racist, lewd, vulgar or obscene 
• Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income or body type/size.