Dress Code

Perry Township Schools seeks to foster a safe, positive learning environment focused on academic achievement and community. In order to promote school safety, improve student performance, encourage positive self-esteem, and focus on academic achievement instead of socioeconomic status, Perry Township Schools adopts the following student dress code for all students during the school day:

District Policy

(from page 13-14 of the 24-25 MSD of Perry Township Student Success Handbook)

  • Hats with bills or brims, hoods, bandanas, and face coverings (with the exception of medical masks) are not to be worn in the school building. An approved head covering must allow eyes and ears to be visible at all times. Students with a bona fide religious objection may apply for an exemption.
  • Clothing and jewelry, which includes depictions or symbols of the following, are prohibited:
    • sex or sexual innuendo
    • lewd, vulgar, indecent, or plainly offensive speech, including profanity
    • violence, destruction of property, or advocating the use of force
    • urging violation of the law or school regulations
    • alcohol, drugs, or tobacco
    • anything which substantially or materially disrupts the school environment
  • Pants or skirts must be worn at the waist.
  • Pants, dresses and skirts must be at or near mid thigh and have no overt or holes, cuts, tears, or frays that expose skin above mid thigh.
  • Student IDs should be worn and made visible at all times.
  • All tops must have sleeves.

Southport High School Dress Code

  • Hats with bills or brims, hoods, bandanas, and face coverings (with the exception of medical masks) are not to be worn in the school building. An approved head covering must allow eyes and ears to be visible at all times. Students with a bona fide religious objection may apply for an exemption.
  • Sunglasses are not to be worn in the school building.
  • Metal studded clothing and/or spiked jewelry are not acceptable.

  • The bottom of a student’s top (shirt, blouse, sweatshirt, etc.) must meet at the top of the student’s pants, shorts, or skirt.
  • All tops must have sleeves.
  • Plunging necklines and excessive exposure are not acceptable. Our gauge for necklines will be approximately 3” from the collarbone; the length of your student ID card.
  • Students should wear their IDs around their necks and keep them visible at all times.

  • All shorts/skirts/pants/dresses must be near or at mid-thigh when standing. Athletic pants, shorts, and sweatpants are permitted as long as they are not revealing (defined as no skin showing above mid-thigh or see-through clothing or undergarments).
  • Pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses must not have rips, tears, or frays that expose the skin above mid-thigh.
  • Pants or skirts must be worn at the waist.

  • Clothing should be constructed and worn in a manner that is not excessively revealing. Tops must have sleeves. Tops that may NOT be worn are tank tops, muscle shirts, tube tops, halter tops, backless shirts, tops with spaghetti straps, sheer or fishnet shirts, cut-offs, or other tops that show the midriff. Undergarments will not be visible.
  • Any apparel showing suggestive or profane pictures or wording; showing alcohol, tobacco, or drug-related sayings or pictures;  promoting sex, violence, or self-destructive behavior; or any item that defames an individual person or group of people will not be tolerated.
  • Clothing with group markings, same-color clothing, or accessories symbolizing gang membership will not be tolerated.

  • Proper footwear must be worn at all times in the school buildings. Flip-flops, sandals, and slippers are permitted, but all footwear must have a hard sole. Shoes with wheels are not permitted.

  • Blankets are not permitted in the school building.

  • Any new “fads/trends” in clothing or anything not specifically covered in the above guidelines, which is considered inappropriate dress, shall be dealt with at the discretion of an administrator/designee.

If there are any questions as to the appropriateness of any type of clothing, the school should be contacted in advance. In the event inappropriate clothing is worn or displayed, it is the responsibility of the student to make immediate arrangements to remedy the situation. Students will be sent to student services until appropriate clothing is obtained (T-shirts and appropriate pants may be available in the office); in most cases, students will not be permitted to leave the school to obtain appropriate clothing, but clothing may be brought by an adult/guardian from home. Continuous violations of this dress code could result in further disciplinary action.