Dress Code
Approved Dress Code and Personal Appearance
All Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy for Excellence (MLK Academy) students are
expected to be in compliance with all guidelines of the school dress code. The
administrative staff, under special circumstances, may grant temporary waivers. If
any type of clothing worn in the building leads to confusion or misunderstanding,
the administration will make the final decision as to the clothing's appropriateness.
MLK Dress Code Guidelines
General Understandings
● All skin is to be covered from the base of the neck to the top of the knee, including any
skin that would otherwise be visible through holes in pants/shorts.
● No writing, images, or apparel that are vulgar, sexually suggestive, profane, harassing to
any group, potentially gang-related, contain weapons or violence, or are alcohol,
tobacco, or drug related.
● No “In Memory of” attire, including but not limited to: shirts, tags, bottoms, footwear,
accessories.
● No excessive embellishments or extremes of dress that, in the opinion of school
Administration, will cause a disruption to the school day.
● Students will not be able to wear any clothing item sensitive to the metal detectors in the
building.
Tops/Shirts/Blouses
● Must have sleeves and fully cover cleavage, stomach, and back this includes during the
check-in process.
● No mesh or see through tops.
● No excessively tight or baggy tops.
● No hoodies.
● No hats,bandanas, or head coverings.. They must be removed and turned in during the
check-in process.
● Head wraps or head bands must not cover the top of the head, but are permitted.
● A t-shirt must be worn during check in if you wear an over-garment.
● No spaghetti strap tops.
● Appropriate tops under jackets (no half bras or sport bras).
Bottoms/Pants/Skirts/Shorts/Capris
● Bottoms must fit and be worn at the natural waist with body and undergarments covered.
● No sagging, continual violations will result in a required use of a belt, appropriately. This
applies to garments with or without belt loops. If students' bottoms can not be worn and
maintained at the waistline, they will need to be changed.
● Shorts,skirts and Dresses must come to the top of the knee.
● No mesh, sheer, or transparent shorts/pants
● No leggings, tights or yoga pants, unless worn under an appropriate length dress, shirt
or shorts (at the knee)
● No pajama pants, sleeping pants, or form-fitting sweatpants.
Shoes
● Must be closed toed and have a back.
● No sandals, Crocs, house slippers, or slide shoes.
Items that may not be worn
● No necklaces, key rings, or jewelry may be worn outside shirts or blouses.
● No smartwatches.
● One ring per hand.
● No metal pics, rat tail combs, large brushes, combs with points. All such items must be
turned in during the check-in process. Bringing these items is done so at your own risk.
Administration reserves the right to withhold items in violation..
● No belt buckles larger than a credit card.
Points of Emphasis in Dress Code
● No holes in garments above the top of the knee without coverage or backing.
● No Sagging pants. If students' bottoms can not be worn and maintained at the waistline,
they will need to be changed.
● No metal pics, rat tail combs, large brushes, combs with points. All such items must be
turned in during the check-in process. Bringing these items is done so at your own risk.
Administration reserves the right to withhold items in violation.
● No belt buckles larger than a credit card.
● Administration reserves the right to make all final decisions regarding dress code.
Student Dress Code Enforcement:
The following procedures will be followed for all students who arrive at school
NOT wearing proper dress code clothing.
● Students are expected to attend school daily in dress code attire.
● Students will be permitted to fix the dress code violation
● Students will be allowed to borrow an item and return it at the end of the
school day. Staff will determine if the student needs particular items to keep
and will verify with Parent/Guardian.
● Parent/Guardian will be notified if student continues to come to school out
of dress code and will be asked to bring their child the needed item.
● Special arrangements may be made on a case by case basis if students are
dealing with circumstances beyond their control.