Home > Middle School > Dress Code

Welcome!

Academics

Accel. Reader

Back to School

Bell Schedule

Civil Air Patrol

Community Pages

Dress Code

Handbook

Library Resources

Lunch Menu

Mustang Avenue

Notes from Principal

School Supply List

Student Council

Summer Reading 6

Summer Reading 7

Summer Reading 8

DRESS CODE

As a Christian institution, we have a unique responsibility to the community.  Since we are judged largely by our appearance, we cannot be blind to the changing styles of the day and become so far "behind the times" and hopelessly "dated" that we repel the very ones who should be attracted by our Christian testimony.  Nor do we dare offend by adopting styles and fads which are suggestive and vulgar in their appeal or which are the unique trademarks of segments of society decidedly ungodly in their influence.  Our appearance then, must be conservative so that we are not offensive, and be in good taste so as to "adorn the Gospel" by our attractiveness.
We believe that outward appearance is important to our Christian testimony, and we expect all students to exercise good taste and judgment in their dress.  Dress should not distract from the learning process or attract attention to one's outward appearance, but to the inward character of the individual.  (I Timothy 2:9-10; I Peter 3:3-4; I Samuel 16:7)  Please plan your outfits carefully, considering all the guidelines. The objective is to be neat and modest.

During School Shirts/Tops:

• NCS designated/approved Polo Shirts purchased by NCS-approved vendors.
• Tops must be appropriately sized – Even if a shirt is purchased from NCS, it must not be tight fitting, and cannot be altered to show the midriff.  (Although a shirt may cover the midriff when standing straight, if the midriff has the possibility of being exposed upon raising a hand, sitting down, or bending, it is a violation.)
• NCS shirts do not have to be tucked in but the size must not be so large that the shirt hangs below the bottom of the back pocket.
• If a student is wearing an undershirt, the shirt worn underneath should be tucked in and the undershirt cannot have writing on it that is seen through the shirt.  All undershirts should be plain.
• Students can wear T-shirts on Friday as long as they are Northside approved shirts that represent Northside (athletic teams, fine arts groups, clubs, class shirts, etc.). 

Outer Garments:

• All outerwear (worn over the “required” NCS polo shirt) must be NCS sweaters, sweatshirts, or jackets. 
• No hats or other head coverings (hoods included) may be worn in the building, except on special dress up days.

Shorts:

• For Girls:  Bermuda shorts may be worn.   Bermuda shorts must have a hem line that touches at or below the knee cap.  Although hemline lengths will vary, a hemline should not reach above the top of the kneecap.  Long pants that have been cut and do not have a hem line are not Capris or Bermuda shorts.  Shorts must not be pulled down on the hips in order to have the hem line meet requirements.

• For Boys:  Boys may wear hemmed, pocketed, non-athletic shorts that are hemmed at the knee.  They should not be excessively large or baggy.  All shorts must be worn above the hip bone.  A belt may be required if necessary to keep pants above the hip bone.  NO athletic shorts are permitted.
• Any shorts/Capris may not be frayed or have frayed cuffs.

Pants/Slacks:

• Girls:  No sweat pants, warm-ups, skorts, or culottes may be worn.
• Boys: No sweat pants or warm-ups may be worn.
• Appropriate pants include khakis, jeans, Capri’s or Bermuda shorts (for girls), or dress pants. 
• Pants are to be appropriately sized and not tight fitting or dragging on the ground or frayed at the bottom.  Pants should not have holes and should not have multiple zippers/rings/studs/metal/etc.
• Waistband shall be worn at or above the top of the hipbone.  It is always inappropriate to show underwear above the waistband.  Even when a shirt is considered to cover underwear, the underwear cannot be exposed when sitting down, raising a hand, or bending.
• No stretch materials such as spandex or Lycra are permitted.
• No distracting pants with words written across, or graphics (like dragons), or written on with pen, or distracting patterns are permitted.

Skirts:

• Girls may choose to wear skirts or dresses of appropriate size (tightness) and length.
• Hem may be no more than 4” off the floor when kneeling.  (From bottom of the knee cap).
• Top of any slit shall be no more than 4” off the floor when kneeling
• No stretch materials such as spandex or lycra are permitted.

Hair:

• Distracting styles and/or coloring (especially unnatural colors) are not allowed.
• Hair should be combed and not excessively bushy.
• Boy’s hair should be cut so that it is completely off of the collar and does not hang beneath the opening of the ear.  Bangs should not hang over the eyes.
• Boys must be clean-shaven.  Sideburns must be kept neatly trimmed and must not extend below ear level or flare at the bottom.  Seniors may ask administration for the privilege of having neatly trimmed facial hair that will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Shoes:

• For Boys:  Clean, neat closed toe shoes or sneakers are to be worn.  No sandals are to be worn.
• For Girls:  Clean, neat shoes, dress sandals (between-the-toe style permitted), or sneakers are to be worn.  High heels are discouraged for safety reasons, and a student may be asked not to wear heels that look too high.  Stylish and clean flip-flops with a rubber-sole are permitted.

Other:

• There are certain fads or cultures that have associated themselves and their beliefs with specific clothing, styles, and accessories.  Although we understand that wearing just one item does not mean that a student associates or agrees with the philosophy, it is our desire to separate from the possibility of allowing this culture to enter into our educational/spiritual environment.  Therefore, things that associate themselves with these movements that point our students away from Christ, will not be acceptable to wear in our school.  This would include safety pins attached to accessories, chains, studded items, excessive black-colored items (fingernail polish, makeup, hair, jewelry), patches, buttons, or any other items that associate with these styles.

Jewelry/Belts/Studs:

• Male students may not wear earrings to school or after-school activities (on or off campus). 
• If a student has a hole piercing, this hole may not exceed the standard post earring size.  Spacers, even if clear, are not permitted.
• All visible tattoos and body-piercings are unacceptable.  This includes a tongue post.
• Rhinestone, studded belts, or chains, belts that do not fit into belt loops, or other heavy, distracting styles will be not permitted.  This includes the “studded” look within clothing for both boys and girls.

Book Bags

• The school has the right to ask a student to remove attached studs, emblems, patches, buttons, or slogans from purses, book bags, or other accessories.  If the item cannot be removed, then the student will need to purchase a new bag.  This includes items that are associated with the secular music culture and other fads that are in conflict with the standards of Northside Christian School.

It is much more difficult for administration and teachers to enforce the dress code during after-school activities, and it is important that our parents help us to guide their children in continuing to be modest and wholesome in their attire even after school.  Except when students are in athletic/fine arts after-school practices, attire should continue to be close to the daily expected school-day attire.  At the discretion of the administrators, a student who willfully disregards the intended spirit of our dress code, will be asked to wear the school day code of dress for the rest of the semester during all after-school activities.
After School or School Activities Shirts/Tops:

• T-shirts or other shirts worn after school or during school activities must not have writing, graphics, pictures, or slogans that could be interpreted as inappropriate thoughts or ideas, or seen as something that would be offensive to the Christian worldview philosophy of Northside Christian School.  This includes secular bands, anti-flag, and other comments that can be destructive.
• Tops for girls should have at least a capped sleeve, modest cut in the front, and absolutely no midriff showing.

A dress code warning will be given to any student on the first violation.  This is simply a warning.  Subsequent dress code violations may result in demerits.  The student will be required to call home for a change of clothes.  If it is a shirt issue and a change cannot be made within that class period, a change of clothes will be provided and the charge billed to the student account.  It is imperative that parents understand that some of the styles today, primarily with the girls, promote a level of immodesty that is inconsistent with the scriptural standards of NCS.  The dress code violations do count against a "clean month".