Dress for Excellence
Uniform Expectations: General Rules for Attire and Appearance
The Chesterton Academy of St. Scholastica dress code supports the school’s purpose of forming morally serious persons. Our uniform provides the students and local communities with an appearance that encourages and represents school identity, school spirit, unity, discipline, as well as a gold standard for an academic and professional look, the origins of which are classic and traditional. It promotes the values inherent in our school’s mission and allows our students to be recognized as members of the academy. Students must wear their uniform in a respectful manner, mindful that they are seen as representatives of the school and leaders in an academic environment. Learning to maintain a neat, professional appearance is part of a student’s education. Students should thus be in uniform at all times while on school grounds, unless participating in a school sponsored after school activity with permission to change. Students must arrive and leave school in full uniform.
Modesty, cleanliness, and formality will be the primary guides in all matters of the required uniform. Students will be expected to present themselves in a way that reflects their great dignity, the dignity of their vocation as students, and the seriousness of our collective task. Therefore, they will wear the Chesterton Academy of St. Scholastica uniform in a modest and neat way, avoiding all manner of ostentation. The uniforms must be clean and in good condition with no rips, holes or stains.
It is the responsibility of both the parents and the student to know and abide by the school dress code standards and uniform expectations. Please make sure you are familiar with what is required and help your son or daughter to comply. When parents enroll their children in the school, it is with the understanding that the uniform code, along with other school expectations, regulations, and policies, will be followed. Uniforms are just that — uniforms. They are not intended to reflect the fashion trends of the moment. The uniform policy pertains not only to clothing but also to accessories, jewelry, hair and like items. No article of clothing that is not part of the uniform (e.g. sweater, vest, sweatshirt, hooded sweatshirt, overcoat, raincoat, poncho, hat, etc.) may be worn in school.
Blazers, shirts, sweaters, trousers, skirts, ties and belts, should be labeled with the student's name (e.g. John Smith or Smith). The label should be placed on the inside collar of the blazer, shirt and sweater, on the inside of the trousers and skirts and on the back of the tie and belt. This simple expedient will save much money and anguish.
We are aware that often you can buy similar items at other places. Often, however, these reduced priced items do not wear as well, last as long, or look as neat as our uniform items. Therefore, unless items are marked with ‘May be purchased at any vendor.” in the charts below, we request that you purchase those items through Schoolbelles only. This will streamline the process and help us maintain the highest standards of uniformity in the dress code during the entire school year.
REQUIRED ITEMS
The charts below indicate the required uniform items for ladies and gentlemen. For Mass, students are required to have ONE OF the following pieces: Sweater, Sweater Vest, or Blazer. Students are NOT required to have all three.
OUT OF UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS
On special occasions, we will invite students to attend school or school-sponsored events (e.g., dances, field trips, retreats, etc.) out of their uniforms. If students choose to attend an out-of-uniform event in their uniforms, they must meet all standards of being fully in uniform (e.g., shirt tucked in, modest accessories, proper shoes, correct sweater/blazer/apparel, etc.).
The out-of-uniform expectations are event-specific and will be announced before each event. However, they will include at all times:
No ripped or dirty clothing.
No overly revealing clothing: this refers to factors including but not limited to cut-outs in clothing (e.g., shoulder or midriff cutouts), overly tight clothing (any leggings), no shorts for girls, and no short skirts (that hit above the knee).
No text or imagery that does not align with our mission.
If at any time during the school year these policies need to be changed, parents and students will be informed. Please be aware that the final interpretation of dress policies resides with the executive director and headmaster.
Uniform Standards for the Ladies
Ladies should aim for a simple elegance that is appropriate for these years. Uniforms should always be clean and blouses always tucked in. Additionally:
Makeup for ladies must be light, simple, and natural-looking. Foundation, light mascara, and light blush may be worn, but no eyeliner or eye shadow. Chapstick or clear or light lip-gloss is allowed. No colored lipstick or colored lip-gloss are allowed.
Nail polish is allowed but should be muted, tasteful, and professional. Nails should be clean and of moderate length.
Hair accessories should be tasteful and professional. No athletic headbands, no bandana headbands, no bright distracting colors. Color of hair accessories should complement the uniform.
Ladies’ hair should be neatly groomed and clean at all times. Hair color should be natural hues. No streaks of unnatural colors (reds, pinks, greens, etc.) on any part of hair. No extreme haircuts.
Girls may wear one stud in each earlobe (matching).
A simple chain necklace with religious significance and/or a scapular may be worn under the shirt for girls and boys.
One religious bracelet and one watch may be worn. (No smart watches allowed. Fitbits are permitted, but text notifications must be off).
One lapel pin may be worn so long as it is in line with our mission.
All jewelry should be tasteful, professional, and not excessive in size or number.
No perfumes are allowed.
No head gear may be worn inside the building (winter hats, baseball caps, etc.).
Uniform Standards for the Gentlemen
Gentlemen should likewise aim for a simplicity that is appropriate for these years. Uniforms should always be clean and shirts always tucked in. Additionally:
Only solid white tee shirts may be worn under the white Oxford. No wording or pictures on the tee shirt should be visible.
Simple chains and medals should be tucked under the shirt. No visible piercings or tattoos are allowed.
One bracelet and one watch may be worn. (No smart watches allowed. Fitbits are permitted, but text notifications must be off).
Gentlemen’s hair should be neatly groomed and clean at all times, with no highlights or dyeing. Hair must be trimmed above the eyebrows, ears, and collar. No extreme haircuts.
All young men should be clean-shaven with sideburns not extending beyond the middle of the ear. Facial hair is not permitted.
One lapel pin may be worn so long as it is in line with our mission.
Gentlemen may not wear cologne.
No head gear may be worn inside the building (winter hats, baseball caps, etc.).
Note: Chesterton Academy’s uniform vendor is Schoolbelles. Uniforms may be purchased online at www.schoolbelles.com. A 20% discount will automatically be applied at checkout (school code s3174).