Dress Code

At RCS, we believe that maintaining a modest and respectful appearance is an important aspect of our
Christian values and contributes to a positive, Christ-like, and focused learning environment. Our dress code
reflects our commitment to upholding these principles, ensuring that students are dressed appropriately for
school and social activities in a relaxed yet conservative atmosphere. 

It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of acceptable and unacceptable attire. It is not meant to take the
place of parental rules, which may be more restrictive than those set down here. Nor is it meant to relieve the
student of the opportunity to grow in personal responsibility for his or her own appearance. We expect all
students to adhere to the following guidelines to promote a sense of unity, professionalism, and dignity within
our school community

GUIDELINES

TOPS/SHIRTS

• Shirts must be Ridgefield shirts, with school branding or the official school logo. Plain polo shirts in
  white, navy, hunter green, grey, or black are allowed. (No solid color t-shirts). 
• Tops must have sleeves and cover the shoulders and midsection, with no low-cut necklines or
  transparent materials, and not be excessively tight, clinging, or revealing. The bottom hem line of the
  shirt must extend below the waistline. 
• Tops with slogans, images, or messages contrary to Christian values or inconsistent with a Christian
  lifestyle are not allowed. 
• T-shirts with Scriptures or Scripture references can be worn on Fridays ONLY. 
• School event shirts such as: Love Week, See You At The Pole, Homecoming, etc…can be worn on
  Fridays ONLY

OUTERWEAR 

• RCS branded Hoodies & Sweatshirts can be worn over an approved RCS t-shirt or polo. 
• Jackets & Sweaters must be RCS branded or an RCS approved solid color (Navy, White, Black, Grey, & Hunter Green) with no branded logos, slogans, or other graphic images. 
• Personal coats of any style or color may be worn outside ONLY.

BOTTOMS

• Pants, joggers, skirts, and shorts must fit comfortably without being too tight, be worn at the
  waist, and be free of rips, tears, or holes. Clothing must not reveal undergarments or excessively
  cling to the body. 
• Joggers are permitted in designated colors. Joggers are defined as pants in nyon-like material with an
  elasticized waist and elasticized ankle cuffs. (No fleece or sweatshirt material allowed). 
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be of modest length, touching no more than 5” above the knee when
  standing (the long side of a 3×5 index card). 
• Leggings, yoga pants, or biker shorts MUST be worn under skirts or dresses. 
• Permitted colors for pants, joggers, skirts, and shorts, are khaki, navy, black. 
• Athletic shorts are NOT allowed as daily uniform attire. 
•  Jeans, Jean Shorts, & Jean Skirts are allowed on Fridays ONLY. 
• Previously purchased Navy & Hunter Green Tartan Plaid jumpers and skirts may be worn in the approved
  length. 

FOOTWEAR

LOWER SCHOOL (PreK-6): Shoes must have enclosed toes and heels. Sandals and Crocs are not permitted because of playground
gravel. Rubber flip-flops, athletic slides, Crocs, and house shoes are prohibited.

UPPER SCHOOL (7-12): Rubber flip-flops, athletic slides, and house shoes are prohibited. Crocs and Birkenstock style of shoes are
appropriate. Sandals are permitted except in cases where closed toes shoes should be worn for safety reasons. 

ACCESSORIES

• Jewelry and accessories should be minimal and non-distracting and should not include symbols or
  messages that contradict Christian values. 
• Hats, caps, headgear, or hoods should not be worn inside school buildings, except for medical
  reasons, or on special designated occasions such as Spirit or tag days. 

GROOMING

• Hair should be clean and neatly groomed, avoiding extreme styles or colors (such as pink, green,
  purple, rainbow, etc) that may distract from the learning environment, and worn in a style that does
  not obstruct the view of the face. 
• Facial hair must be well maintained. 
• Makeup and nail polish should be kept modest. Boys are not permitted to wear makeup; e.g., eyeliner, nail
  polish, or lipstick.  
• Visible tattoos are not allowed. 
• Boys are not permitted to wear earrings of any kind. No body or facial piercings, or ear gauges are
  allowed. 
• Any jewelry deemed excessive, dangerous, or representing an ungodly segment of culture will not be
  permitted

P.E. ATTIRE

• For P.E., athletic period, & practices students may wear Athletic Department-approved modest, practice jerseys, and shorts. 
• Leggings are NOT allowed as PE attire unless worn under shorts. 
• Closed-toe athletic shoes must be worn for PE activities. 
• Joggers, sweatpants, sweatshirts, jackets, and coats may be worn in cooler weather. 
• Changing rooms are available for changing back into regular school attire. 
• Students must change back in to the uniform before returning to the main school building

THEME/TAG DAYS

Upper School students may wear theme-oriented clothing on approved and specified theme/tags days only.
Theme/tag day exceptions will apply only as specified in the particular activity, i.e., hats may only be worn on a
hat theme day, not on any theme/tag day. Theme/tag day attire may include but be limited to things such as
sweats/pajamas, athletic attire, favorite college spirit wear, superhero days, hats, or costumes. 

Theme/tag day dress code allowances do not apply to non-participating students. Students must be wearing
items specifically and obviously related to the theme/tag day to be considered as participating. (Pajama tops
or bottoms may be worn ONLY on a specific Pajama day.).

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students are to dress in the spirit of the RCS dress code anytime they are on campus or representing RCS.
Students dressed inappropriately or immodestly will be asked to change or leave the event. 

When students are out of dress code during school hours for special events, they should be dressed in the spirit
of the dress code. Skirt and short length should follow regular guidelines. No spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube
tops, halters, short tops, excessively tight clothing, etc, will be permitted. All athletic uniform requirements will be
handled by the Athletic Department.

DANCES/FORMAL/SEMI-FORMAL EVENTS

The following are the approved guidelines for formal and semi-formal functions including athletic banquets and
homecoming at RCS: 

• No jeans, shorts, or athletic wear. 
• No caps or unapproved hats. 
• Dresses should be modest, not tight-fitting, and not show cleavage. 
• Dresses should not have cutouts or sheer fabrics except on the sleeves or shoulders. 
• Dresses should fall no lower than the middle of the back. 
• Bare sides or midriffs should not be visible. 
• Hemlines or slits in dresses or skirts must touch no more than 5” above the knee when standing
  (the long side of a 3×5 index card). 
• Pants are to be worn at the waist. 
• Student dates from other schools must also abide by this policy. It is the student’s responsibility to
  make sure they know. 
• Students that arrive wearing anything other than the approved dress code will be asked to alter or
  change to meet the requirements or asked to leave.

ENFORCEMENT & VIOLATIONS

It is important to note that these guidelines are subject to the discretion of the administration, and exceptions may
be made for special events or circumstances. The administration reserves the right to make the final decisions
concerning compliance with the standards. Repeated failure to comply with dress code standards could result in
more significant disciplinary action.  

• Initial violations will be dealt with by a warning and a reminder to dress appropriately. A note or email
  will be sent home to parents to ensure effective communication.
• After the first violation, Students will be asked to change into the appropriate dress code clothing.
• Students in egregious violation of the dress code, such as vulgar/inappropriate messages or immodest
  dress, will be removed from class by the teacher, counted absent, and sent to the school office. They
  will remain in the office or be sent home (parental choice) until the student is able to return to class in
  appropriate attire. A behavior note will be entered for tracking purposes (but no demerits or other
  discipline, etc.).
• Dress code violations will be considered disciplinary violations after there are 3
  repeated clear violations.
• Repeated dress code violations will result in a conference with a parent.

Please read and address these standards with your child. Parents are responsible for sending their children to
school with correct dress and grooming. Numerous stores also offer khaki/navy pants and shorts and plain
polo style shirts. Gently used uniforms may be purchased from PACE’s clothing closet