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 either plain/solid color or Ridgefield t-shirts, polos, or button down. Ridgefield shirts are any school-issued shirt, including t-shirts, with school branding or the official school logo.
  • Colors: navy, hunter green, white, black, gray, gold
  • 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.

OUTERWEAR 

Outerwear can be worn over an approved top or shirt. Outwear must be RCS branded or solid color with no imagery, slogan, or other graphic image. RCS spirit wear may be worn any day of the week as long as it is the outermost layer.

BOTTOMS

  • Pants, 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.
  • Jeans are allowed.
  • Joggers or sweatpants are not permitted except on designated occasions.
  • Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be of modest length, touching no more than 3” above the knee when standing (the short side of a 3×5 index card).
  • Leggings and yoga pants may only be worn under skirts or dresses. Tunic-style tops are acceptable provided they meet the minimal length requirement.
  • Permitted colors are khaki, navy, denim blue, gray, black, plaid (for skirts or dresses)

FOOTWEAR

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

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 that cover any portion of the face 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 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 or lipstick
  • Visible tattoos are not allowed.
  • Girls may have no more than two earrings per ear. Boys are not permitted to wear earrings of any kind. No body or facial piercings are allowed.
  • Any jewelry deemed excessive, dangerous, or representing an ungodly segment of culture will not be permitted.

P.E. ATTIRE

  • Students may wear appropriate t-shirts, including tank tops without enlarged armholes, shorts, and athletic shoes. Athletic shorts must meet the regular guidelines for length.
  • Leggings are NOT allowed as PE attire unless worn under shorts.
  • Closed-toe athletic shoes must be worn for PE activities.
  • Sweatpants, sweatshirts, jackets, and coats may be worn in cooler weather.
  • Changing rooms are available for changing back into regular school attire.

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.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students will be expected to dress appropriately in a modest way when attending extracurricular school functions. Students should remember that they are representing Ridgefield at all events. Students dressed inappropriately or immodestly will be asked to 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.

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 below the fingertips when the arms are fully extended along the sides.
  • 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.

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. For elementary students, a note may be sent home to parents to ensure effective communication.
  • Questionable violations of the dress code will result in a student/administration conversation that will result in an administrative decision about the possible violation.
  • 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 not be considered disciplinary violations unless there are numerous/repeated clear violations.

Please read and address these standards with your child. Parents are responsible for sending their children to school with correct dress and grooming. Clothing embroidered with the RCS logo may be purchased through The Toggery at toggerykids.org. 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.