Dress Code

Read our Full Student Code of Conduct 

Goals of the Ferndale Schools Dress Code

• Maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed, such as chemistry/biology (eye or body protection), dance (bare feet, tights/leotards), or PE (athletic attire/shoes).
• Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable.
• Allow students to wear clothing that expresses their self-identified gender.
• Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination.
• Prevent students from wearing clothing with offensive images or language, including profanity, hate speech, and pornography.
• Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language depicting or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of gender/gender identification, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, body type/size, religion, and personal style.

Basic Principle

The Board of Education and Administration of Ferndale Public Schools recognize that each student's choice of dress and appearance is an expression of personal style and individual preference. Therefore, a student's decision regarding their appearance will not be interfered with, unless the choice impedes the learning environment or school safety. While fashions change, the reasons for being in school do not. Students are in school to learn. Guidelines that may be used to determine whether dress is appropriate for the safe learning environment in our schools include, but may not be limited to the following:

Students Must Wear:*

• Shirt
• Bottom: pants/sweatpants/shorts/skirt/dress/leggings
• Shoes; activity-specific shoes requirements are permitted (for example for sports)

• Clothes that are worn in such a way that private body parts are covered with opaque material

Students Cannot Wear:

• Violent language or images
• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of same.
• Hate speech, profanity, pornography
• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class
• Pajamas
• Headwear, headgear or anything that obscures the face that is not religious (helmets, hats, hoods, bandanas, etc…)
• Visible underwear
• Bathing suits
• Potentially dangerous items (chains, metal spikes, pointed rings, etc…)
• Any items that would qualify as gang symbols

If there is a question as to whether or not any student’s apparel or appearance is appropriate for school, building administrators will decide.

Discipline Procedures for Improper Dress

1. The student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem.
2. The student may call a parent to obtain proper attire.
3. Refusal to cooperate may result in further discipline.