Clothing Policy

By enrolling their child at Alcuin School, parents agree to accept the school’s clothing policy. The administration and faculty will partner with parents in the implementation of these guidelines.
The school recognizes that cleanliness, personal appearance and proper dress habits are integral to education. Research confirms that there is a direct relationship between student appearance, attitude and behavior. The school’s dress code is established in the spirit of the Montessori way that affords each child choices within the parameters of good taste and appropriateness for school activities.

In addition, jewelry should be conservative, appropriate for the School environment, and not attract undue attention. Hair for all students should be clean, well groomed, and worn in a style that is not in any way extreme. Students should not display any excessive body piercing or tattoos.

The School reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any student’s appearance and grooming as a reflection of School standards. Parents may be requested to bring a change of clothes or student may be asked to change into clothes provided by the School.  

Clothing Guidelines

Students should dress appropriately to maximize learning and minimize distractions in the classroom and off campus for field trips and going outs. One of the primary goals of an Alcuin education is to assist children in becoming increasingly more independent, self-confident and capable of taking responsibility for their lives. In light of this philosophy the school’s policy is as follows:

Toddler - In cooperation with the School Store, Alcuin School guides have carefully selected simple designs in clothing which foster independence and allow each child to care for themselves, run, climb and play freely. Each child should arrive for school dressed according to the specifications described below. Offering simple choices to the child — “Would you like to wear the gray shorts or the blue pants today?” — the required clothing is easy to manage and may be selected in various colors for mixing and matching. Compliance with the dress code is mandatory and is very much appreciated. Please feel free to contact the Head of Early Childhood Programs, with any questions.

• Shorts and pants that are either purchased from the school store or which closely approximate the following description. The elastic waistband should be wide and easily stretched allowing the child to dress and undress independently. Please avoid jumpsuits, skirts, dresses, leggings and pants with buttons, snaps, zippers, suspenders, belts, or with elastic only in the back.

• Plain T-shirts with the Alcuin School logo are available from the School Store. All other t-shirts should be plain, colored t-shirts. T-shirts with cartoon characters, animals, reversible sequins, machines etc. are a distraction in the community and will be changed on arrival. During cold weather make sure long sleeve T-shirts are loose enough for your child to push the sleeves up to wash hands. Shirts must be loose enough to pull over the head easily but not so long that they hang far over the waist. (Please avoid turtlenecks and girl’s shirts with elastic at the sleeves or buttons at the back of the neck.)

• Low-cut tennis shoes (no cartoon characters) with very simple fastenings or pull-on shoes give your child more opportunity for independence. Please save all suede, canvas, open-toed sandals, light-up shoes, lace-up shoes and boots to enjoy at home.

• Jackets and sweaters that button or zip. Jackets that pull over the head are too difficult to get on and off. • When appropriate, underwear must be 100% cotton training pants, loose enough for your child to pull up independently.

• Socks must be ankle length and should be stretchy enough to fit easily over the foot.

Primary - School attire should allow for the freedom of movement to run, jump and climb safely out of doors. Keep in mind that your child will be working on the floor, painting, working with lots of water, and playing in the sandbox every day. Long t-shirts, skirts and dresses for this age of child are inappropriate for school and playground wear. Long skirts and dresses are especially dangerous. Each piece of clothing worn to school or stored at school must be labeled with your child’s name or initials. Please save bows, headbands, and jewelry for home, as these items are distracting in our community setting. Compliance with the dress code is mandatory and is very much appreciated. Please feel free to contact the Head of Early Childhood Programs, with any questions.

• Pull-up gym shorts or long pants with elastic waists and well-fitting t-shirts are preferred. Plain T-shirts with the Alcuin School logo are available from the school store. All other t-shirts should be plain, colored t-shirts. T-shirts with cartoon characters, animals, reversible sequins, machines etc. are a distraction in the community and will be changed on arrival. During cold weather make sure long sleeve T-shirts are loose enough for your child to push the sleeves up to wash hands. Shirts must be loose enough to pull over the head easily but not so long that they hang far over the waist.

• Low-cut tennis shoes (no cartoon characters) with Velcro are most suitable. Please save all high-top tennis shoes, open-toed sandals, hard-soled shoes, boots, flip-flops, jellies, platforms and light-up shoes to enjoy at home. Rubber soles are required in the gymnasium.

• Jackets or sweaters that button or zip are preferred. Jackets that pull over the head are too difficult to get on and off.

Elementary through Upper School: The standard for dress for students in Lower Elementary through Upper School is neat, clean, and appropriately sized. Generally, dress and grooming that attract undue attention or infringe on the rights of others are considered to not be in the spirit of the dress code. Dress guidelines are the following:

• All garments must be long enough to appropriately engage in the active play and learning that is part of every student’s day.

• Footwear must be worn at all times and should be appropriate for an active school day. Shower or beach sandals (e.g., flip flops) may not be worn.

• Clothing that promotes drugs, sex, violence, alcohol, tobacco or offensive messages is prohibited.

• Clothing that displays the names of local private schools may not be worn. Colleges and universities would be the only exception.

• Hats, caps and visor may be worn outside only.

• Undergarments must not show.

• Clothing that exposes the midriff or lower back should not be worn.

• Piercings should be limited to the ears.

• Student’s hair should be clean and groomed. Unusual hair coloring is not allowed.

Students in violation of the Dress Code will be asked to change into school-issued clothing. In some cases, parents may be called to bring a change of clothes.

The judgment of Alcuin’s faculty, staff and administration prevails in determining appropriateness of attire.

Dress for Field Trips – When leaving the school in small groups or large for large field trips, students are asked to wear dressy attire, unless otherwise directed. When officially representing the school, students will not be permitted to leave the School in jeans, shorts, denim, t-shirts or athletic attire. Middle and Upper School students will be given guidelines for appropriate attire for specific events/activities at the beginning of the year.