Skip to main content
Dress Code » Dress Code

Dress Code

Point Loma High School’s Dress Code 2022-2023

Dress Code Philosophy 

Point Loma High School’s student dress code supports equitable educational access and is written in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes. To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income or body type/size. 


Our values are: 

  • All students should be able to dress comfortably for school and engage in the educational environment without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline and/or body shaming. 
  • Student dress code enforcement should not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance. 
  • School staff should be trained and able to use student/body-positive language to explain the code and to address code violations. 
  • Teachers should focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.
  • Reasons for conflict and inconsistent and/or inequitable discipline should be minimized whenever possible. 

Our student dress code is designed to accomplish several goals: 

  • Maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed, such as chemistry/biology (eye and/or body protection), dance (bare feet, tights/leotards), or PE (athletic attire/shoes). 
  • Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable. 
  • Allow students to wear clothing that expresses themselves.
  • Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination. 
  • Prevent students from wearing clothing or accessories with offensive images or language, including profanity, hate speech, violent images (i.e weapons) and pornography. 
  • Prevent students from wearing clothing or accessories that denote, suggest, display or reference alcohol, drugs or related paraphernalia or other illegal conduct or activities. 
  • Prevent students from wearing clothing or accessories that will interfere with the operation of the school, disrupt the educational process, invade the rights of others, or create a reasonably foreseeable risk of such interference or invasion of rights. 
  • Prevent students from wearing clothing or accessories that reasonably can be construed as being or including content that is racist, lewd, vulgar or obscene, or that reasonably can be construed as containing fighting words, speech that incites others to imminent lawless action, defamatory speech, or threats to others. 
  • Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income or body type/size. 
  • Present a positive image to visitors and communicate values to the community. 

Dress Code Policy 

Point Loma High School expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or for any school sponsored event. Student dress choices should respect the District’s intent to sustain a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities. The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The school district is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student. 


  1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in such a way that genitals, buttocks, breasts, and nipples are fully covered with opaque (non-transparent) fabric. All items listed in the “must wear” category must also meet this basic principle.  

  1. Students Must Wear*, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above: 
    • A Top (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), AND 
    • Bottoms (for example, pants/jeans, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress and/or shorts, etc.), AND 
  • Footwear 

*Courses that include attire as part of the curriculum (for example, NJROTC, Physical Education, Work Incentive, Public Speaking, etc.) may include assignment-specific dress, but should not focus on covering bodies in a particular way or promoting culturally-specific attire. Activity-specific shoes requirements are permitted (for example, athletic shoes for PE). 


  1. Students Cannot Wear
  • Violent language or images, including depictions of weapons. 
  • Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) and/or associated with a drug/alcohol brand. 
  • Hate speech, profanity, pornography. 
  • Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment. 
  • Clothing that can be construed as being or including content that is racist, lewd, vulgar or obscene.
  • Visible undergarments (visible straps are allowed). 
  • Swimsuits (except as required in athletic practice/activities). 
  • Accessories that could be considered dangerous and/or could be used as a weapon. 
  • Any item that obscures the face or ears* (except as a religious observance and/or health/safety protocol (i.e. mask). 

*Hats and hoods (i.e. hooded sweatshirts) in the classroom are up to the discretion of the individual teacher. Classroom policy should be clearly posted in the classroom.

Dress Code Enforcement

To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently using the requirements below. Dress code violations will have a direct affect on students’ citizenship grade. 

  • Upon the 1st incident, teachers/staff will address the violation directly with the student. If needed, student can be sent to the main office/counseling office and will be provided 3 options that align with the dress code to wear for the remainder of the school day. Parent/guardian will be notified and the incident will be logged by an office staff member. 
  1. Students can change into their own alternative clothing, if already available at school, that aligns with the dress code. The office will confiscate “out of code” garments until the end of the day. 
  2. Students will be provided with temporary PLHS clothing that aligns with the dress code. The office will confiscate “out of code” garments until the borrowed garment is returned. 
  3. If necessary, students’ parents may be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day. 
  • Repeated violations:
    • 2nd Violation - Mtg. w/ Admin + Communication with Parent/Guardian 
    • 3rd Violation - Detention (After-School/Lunch) + Communication with Parent/Guardian 
    • 4th Violation - Loss of privilege in attending and/or participating in school events/activities (i.e. dances/athletic events) + Communication with Parent/Guardian

  • No student should be affected by dress code enforcement because of racial identity, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious identity, household income, body size/type, or body maturity. 

  • Students should not be shamed or required to display their body in front of others (students, parents, or staff) in school. “Shaming” includes, but is not limited to:   
    • kneeling or bending over to check attire fit; 
    • measuring straps or bottoms length; 
    • asking students to account for their attire in the classroom or in hallways in front of others;
    • calling out students in spaces, in hallways, or in classrooms about perceived dress code violations in front of others, and;
    • accusing students of “distracting” other students with their clothing. 

  • Administratively sanctioned SPIRIT days are permitted and may occur throughout the school year. Appropriate notification will be given to staff and students when/if this happens. 

Students who feel they have been subject to discriminatory enforcement of the dress code should contact a trusted adult, including a staff member/teacher, Associate Principal or Counselor. 

Dress Code FAQ’s 

What are some options that students may wear if they choose?

  • Fitted pants, including opaque (non-transparent) leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans” 
  • Ripped jeans, as long as undergarments and buttocks are not exposed. 
  • Tank tops, including spaghetti straps; halter tops 
  • Athletic attire 
  • Visible straps on undergarments worn under other clothing (as long as this is done in a way that does not violate Section 1 above). 
  • Sunglasses are allowed on campus, but not during class
  • Religious headwear