Dress Code                                                

It is Appling Christian Academy’s belief that developing Christian character includes being disciplined in the area of personal appearance and dress. We believe that the dress of a student has a direct influence on, and relationship to, his or her attitude and conduct. While ACA does have specific limitations and expectations for student attire, three main principles dominate our philosophical position. First, we desire modesty, second, neatness, and third, a Christ-like spirit.

Students wearing inappropriate dress will be addressed. Discipline will be forthcoming for repeated offenses. Depending on the attire, parents may be asked to bring clothes to the student. Final discretion of inappropriate dress will be up to the administration.

Appling Christian Academy strongly discourages sloppy, baggy or “grungy” style clothes from being worn to extra-curricular activities or away games. We encourage a positive well-groomed appearance that is in keeping with the testimony and purpose of our academy. Students may be asked to leave these activities if they are not in compliance with this dress code.

Jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts and coats are acceptable outerwear.  A collared polo-type shirt must be worn underneath any outerwear garment, including a button up shirt worn as an outerwear garment. The hood attachment to hoodies, sweatshirts, shirts, or sweaters is not permitted to be used as a head covering while inside the buildings. Outerwear attire may not have any design or advertisement with suggestive or profane wording, symbols, or gestures. In addition, sexual, violence, gang or weapon connotations or references are not permitted. This policy includes but is not limited to all clothing, shoes, hats, tote bags, notebooks, backpacks, and jewelry.

Other General Requirements:

• Students should refrain from wearing tight or form fitting clothing.

• No leggings, yoga pants, jeggings, skinny pants/jeans

• Middle and high school male students should be clean shaven.
• PE clothing should be modest fitting, loose and shorts should be to the top of the knee. Shirts with sleeves are required.
• Except for K3-5th grade students, all other students must wear polo-type shirts with collars. Shirts must have sleeves (long or short).
• Blankets, throws, and quilts are not permitted to be worn or carried about on campus
• Hair for boys and girls should not be of an unnatural color. Hair should be clean and neatly groomed. For boys, the length is not to be below the collar, out of the eyes, and above the ears. Sideburns for boys may extend to the bottom of the ear. For girls, hair may be tastefully and conservatively highlighted. For boys and girls, unusual or extreme hair styles are not permitted.
• Visible tattoos (temporary or permanent) or body piercing are not permitted, other than appropriate earrings for girls.
• Sweatpants and warm-up suits are not permitted except for PE.
• Camouflage attire and blue jeans can only be worn on specifically approved days (such as spirit week and other special events including occasional fundraising activities) for students in K5-grade 12.
• Hats (including hoods attached to hoodies) and sun glasses may not be worn inside the buildings.
• Belts worn with pants are not required for K3-5^th grade students.  For all grades, pants with no beltloops do not require a belt.
• Pants with beltloops require a belt.
• For girls, dresses and skirt hem lengths should fall to the top of the knee or lower. Slits in skirts and dresses may not come higher than the knee.
• For girls, when pants are worn, they must be modest, loose fitting, no tears.
• Modest length and modest fitting shorts and capris (for girls) are permitted for students in K3-Grade 5. Modest and appropriate length capris are permitted for female students in 6^th grade and beyond (minimum length is to the mid-calf or longer).
• For boys, shirts must be tucked in (K3-5^th grade students do not have to have shirts tucked in). Girls’ shirts may be untucked as long as the midriff remains covered.
• Boys must wear socks with their shoes.
• Girls may wear socks and stockings.
• Boys and girls may wear slacks. Any color Kaki style/material is acceptable. Denim material of any color is not permitted.
• When slacks are worn by students in grades 6-12, they must be full length.

         Shoes may be casual or athletic, but not bedroom shoe styles such as open heeled or slipper types.