University Middle Dress Code to Support Student Engagement and Safety

2022-2023 DRESS CODE

The dress code can be found in the Univeristy Schools 2022-2023 Student Handbook.

University Middle and University High Schools are excited to welcome 6th-9th graders into the Orgel Education Center in the fall of 2022. As the schools share a space, we will also share a normed dress code for consistency. Our purpose as lab schools is to educate and engage our students by celebrating their individuality, cultivating their strengths, and preparing them for opportunity. Our dress code is rooted in this purpose as well as University Schools Dress Code policy (408), which intends to promote inclusive, safe, and distraction-free learning environments. All University Middle and High School students must adhere to University Middle and High School Dress Code guidelines while at school – within the building and in other spaces on campus – during the school day and at all school-sponsored activities, programs, and events, unless outlined by the schools’ directors.

In general, student apparel should be clean, untorn, and properly fitted for the individual, with consideration to the comfort and function of the learning environment. Students should arrive on campus in dress code and remain in dress code until they leave campus. Students must be in dress code under outerwear. Both the Executive Director and Assistant Director at University Middle and High School may determine whether the student’s attire is within the dress code and may further prescribe dress in certain classes, such as physical education and science labs. The Executive Director and their designee may allow exceptions in special circumstances, such as holidays, special events, sports activities, learning activities, etc.

Any student not attired in accordance with the dress code shall first be notified discretely by a faculty or staff member. If the dress code violation can be accommodated throughout the day or modified to meet the dress code, this first dress code conversation will serve as a warning to the student. If the dress code violation cannot be accommodated or modified, a parent or guardian may need to be called to bring a change of attire for the day or a student may spend the remainder of the day in supervised study. If further individual dress code violations occur, additional interventions may occur including a parent phone call and/or conference, loss of privileges, supervised study with a teacher or administrator, or out-of-school suspension. School directors, assistant directors, and faculty members may address school- or grade-wide dress code violations or trends as they occur. Students, faculty, and staff members may provide feedback about Dress Code policy and practices via the process outlined by the Student Government Association (SGA) and University Middle and High School Directors.  

 
SPECIFIC STUDENT DRESS CODE:
 

Students should wear shirts, blouses, and dresses that have sleeves, sides, and backs. Shirts or tops must reach the waistband of pants, shorts, or skirts with no midriffs visible. Shirts or sweatshirts should not completely cover an individual’s shorts, skirt, or dress.
Students should wear pants, skirts, dresses, and shorts at the waist that are appropriately sized for the individual and at a fingertip length or longer. Leggings or fitted athletic pants, made of opaque material that is not transparent or translucent, are permitted, and should be worn with a shirt or blouse that extends below an individual’s hips. 
Students may wear University Middle, High, or University of Memphis attire to show school pride.
Students should wear footwear that is safe and appropriate for indoor and outdoor physical activity. All sandals must have a strap around the back and flip flops, slippers, and slides are not allowed to be worn in the school building.
Students must wear closed toe shoes during physical education classes and science lab and should choose appropriate footwear based on their class schedule and instructor guidance.
Clothing that has holes, rips, tears, or exposes skin or undergarments is not permitted, including, but not limited to, tube tops, spaghetti strap shirts, torn/ripped jeans, pants or shirts.
Students may wear hats, hair wraps, and any cultural or religious headwear, but may not wear bandanas. Hoods on outerwear and shirts may be worn to school or while outside, but should be removed during class time.   
Students may not wear (1) large, long and/or heavy chains; (2) studded, spiked, or chained accessories; (3) sunglasses, except for health purposes previously identified and documented with the school director; or (4) sleepwear, pajamas, slippers, and/or blankets.
Any clothing, accessory, or items, such as backpacks, patches, jewelry, and notebooks that display (1) racial, ethnic, gender or sexual slurs/symbols; (2) gang affiliations; (3) vulgar, subversive, profane, or sexually suggestive language or images or (4) promote inappropriate and/or illegal products such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are not permitted and constitute a dress code violation that must be immediately modified before continuing the school day.