Dress Code

High School Dress Code 2025-26

St. Mary Catholic Schools reserves the right to determine norms for appearance and decorum for students. Appropriate dress reflects the virtues of modesty and self-respect and is essential to maintaining a positive atmosphere for learning.

Bottoms

• Solid colored or patterned dress pants with a finished/hemmed bottom. Athletic pants with elastic bottoms (athletic jogger) are not allowed.
• Pants must be cotton or cotton/poly non-denim fabric.
• Pants must fit appropriately. Spandex/ leggings, jeggings, exercise pants, etc. are not allowed.
• Dress shorts (non-athletic) and capris may be worn during August, September, May, and June.
• Shorts must be of a modest length with a minimum of a five-inch inseam.
• Skirts and dresses are not allowed. (Only allowed on special occasion days – see below).

Shirts

• Shirts must be polo shirts or Oxford-style button down shirts with long or short sleeves.
• Any dress shirt with an appropriate neckline (button down, polo, V neck, round neck).
• All SMC approved tops may be worn.
• Shirts must be full length with no skin showing at the waist.
• Sweaters with a modest neckline.
• Sweatshirts (hooded and crew neck) or fleeces (full or quarter zip) with a logo no larger than an index card (3×5 size) may also be worn. This includes no writing on the sleeves.
• Shirts with buttons must be buttoned.
• Short sleeve/ long sleeve t-shirts are allowed with a logo smaller than an index card (3×5 size). Inappropriate images or text are not acceptable.

Game Day

• Student athletes for that day’s game may wear official uniform tops, including uniform jackets.
• If the uniform top is sleeveless, a shirt with sleeves must be worn underneath.
• Team uniform bottoms are not allowed.

Footwear

• Heels must be modest in height (approx. < 3 in.).
• Lab students must have teacher-approved footwear with them each day.

Jewelry/Makeup

• Students are allowed one nose piercing with a stud post.
• Hooped nose piercings are not allowed.
• Brow or lip piercing is not allowed.
• Extremes in jewelry and makeup are not allowed.
• Males with pierced ears must wear stud earrings only.

Hair/Facial Hair

• Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and a natural shade.
• Boys must be clean shaven.

Special Occasion Attire (Holy Days, Graduation, Baccalaureate Mass, Special Mass/ Presenters)
Females

• Skirts or dresses of an appropriate length and modest style. Skirts must be longer than the student’s fingertips when fully extended down the leg.
• Dress pants with belt loops, zipper, and button closure.
• Necklines must be modest and appropriate for the school / church environment, and sleeves (long or short) are required.
• Sweaters or solid colored, non-logo fleece.

Males

• Dress pants with belt loops, zipper, and button closure.
• Button-down dress shirt with a collar and an appropriate tie. The tie must be tied and worn at the traditional collar level, and shirttails must be tucked in. Cargo pants are not allowed.
• Sweaters or solid colored, non-logo fleece may be worn over the dress shirt and tie.

Relaxed Dress Days

• Jeans, sweatpants, athletic shorts, leggings, and other shorts may be worn. Shorts of any type must be no shorter than the student’s fingertips when fully extended down the leg.
• Shirts must be modest and appropriate.

Clothing Never Allowed

• Clothing that is very tight or very loose.
• Visible tattoos
• Hoods/ hats inside the building
• Clothing not in agreement with Catholic teachings is not permitted at school or any school-sponsored event.
• Clothing displaying alcohol, drugs, inappropriate messages, or sexual references.
• Tattered, torn or frayed clothing.
• Tank tops or shirts without sleeves.
• Visible undergarments.
• Pants below the waistline.
• Crop shirts.

All students’ attire must comply with the dress code. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure their child is dressed according to the SMCHS dress code before leaving for school. Parents may be notified regarding infractions of the dress code and may be asked to bring a change of clothes to school. Detentions may be issued for dress code infractions.  Multiple infractions may warrant further disciplinary actions. SMCHS Administration reserves the right to make final interpretations or changes in the dress code above.

 

Middle School Dress Code 2025-26

St. Mary Catholic Middle School reserves the right to determine norms for appearance and decorum for students. Preparing for school in an intentional way leads to a frame of mind that is different from casual life. Appropriate dress reflects the virtues of modesty and self-respect and is essential to maintaining a positive atmosphere for learning.

Every Friday will be a Zephyr Spirit Day in the 25-26 school year. On these days, students may wear Zephyr spirit items with comfortable bottoms (athletic bottoms, jeans, leggings, etc.).

Bottoms (Girls & Boys):
All bottoms must be solid navy or khaki. SMCS plaid skirt is permitted for girls.

• Pants: navy blue or khaki solid-colored dress pants and cargo pants are allowed (no excessively tight or baggy, loose, long styles, sweatpants, athletic pants, leggings or yoga pants).
• Shorts and Capris: Solid navy blue or khaki shorts and capris may be worn in August, September, May, and June.
• Skirts: navy blue or khaki with tights, leggings or shorts required underneath.
• Skorts: navy blue or khaki must resemble a skirt with attached shorts.
• Dresses: solid navy, khaki or SMCS plaid jumpers must be worn with a collar (attached or on the shirt underneath). 
  • Polo dress may be worn in navy or light blue

Additional Guidelines:

• Leggings: Solid white, khaki, or navy leggings are permitted only when worn under skirts, skorts, dresses or jumpers. Leggings or tights required from October through April.
• Modesty/bicycle/cartwheel shorts are required under skirts or jumpers in August, September, May, and June.
• Length: All shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, and polo dresses must be no shorter than the student’s fingertips when arms are fully extended down the leg. 
• Prohibited: Overalls, rompers, and jumpsuits (any fabric or color).
• All dress code items must adhere to the specified colors.

Tops (Girls & Boys):

All tops must be solid colored. No designs or patterns. Logos, if present, must be no larger than 2"x2". Sleeveless tops are not allowed.

Approved tops include:

• Polo shirts (short or long sleeve)
• Oxford shirts or dress shirts
• Blouses with a collar
• Cardigan sweaters (button or zip front) over a collared shirt. 
• Pullover sweaters (crew-neck or v-neck) over a collared shirt. 
• Sweater vests over a collared shirt.
• Crew-neck sweatshirts over a collared shirt. 
• SMCS crewnecks, ¼ zips, or full zips (must be worn over a collared shirt and purchased from SMCS or an approved vendor)

Additional Guidelines:

• Tops worn under sweaters, vests, or sweatshirts must be a collared dress shirt, polo, or turtleneck in navy blue, white, yellow, or light blue.
• SMCS hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts are only allowed on Zephyr Spirit Days (Fridays) or Out of Uniform Days.

Footwear (Girls & Boys):

• Footwear must be always worn.
• Sandals may be worn in August, September, May and June.
• For safety reasons, heels must be modest in height (approx. < 2 in.).
• Flip flops, moccasins, athletic slides, and slippers are not allowed.
• Separate non-marking athletic shoes worn ONLY INDOORS are required for physical education class.

Mass Day Dress Code (Girls & Boys):

• Mass Days at SMCS should be treated as a special occasion. 
• Students should wear their regular dress code items. 
• Hooded sweatshirts of any type may not be worn to Mass.
• Shirts must be tucked in.
• Out of Dress Code passes may NOT be used on Mass days. 
• All jewelry must be modest and appropriate for the church setting. 
• Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, students will be required to wear a polo shirt featuring the SMCS logo to Mass. It will be optional during the 2025-2026 school year. Ordering info coming soon.

Miscellaneous (Girls & Boys):

• Extremes in jewelry, make-up, or accessories (hair decorations, belts, etc.) are not allowed. 
• Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and a natural shade.
• Mohawks, intricate cut lines, or undercuts are not allowed.
• Extremes in hair styles and accessories are not allowed.
• Clothing should fit well, with nothing being too tight or too loose.
• Hats and/or headgear (including hoods) are not to be worn in the school building during the school day.
• Boys must be clean shaven. 

Relaxed Dress Days

• Jeans, sweatpants, leggings, and shorts may be worn. Shorts of any type must be no shorter than the student’s fingertips when arms are fully extended down the leg.
• Shirts and any outerwear must be modest and suitable for the school environment. Images or text with inappropriate language or advertising, including clothing that promotes musicians, music groups, alcohol, video games, social media influencers or apps, drugs, inappropriate messages, or sexual references, etc. are not allowed at any time.

Clothing Never Allowed

• Visible tattoos, body art/writing are never allowed.
• Hoods/hats inside the building.
• Clothing that is not in agreement with Catholic teachings are not permitted at school or any school-sponsored event, including athletic or social events, field trips, etc.
• Clothing displaying alcohol, drugs, inappropriate messages, or sexual references.
• Tattered, torn or frayed clothing.
• Tank tops or shirts without sleeves.
• Any other non-SMCS school (K-12) logo wear.
• Winter jackets.
• Visible undergarments.
• Pants below the waistline.
• Crop tops.

All students’ attire must comply with the dress code. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure students are dressed according to this dress code before leaving for school. Parents will be notified regarding non-compliance to the dress code and asked to bring a change of clothes to school, or they can request their student to wear clothing provided by SMCMS. Individual restrictions may be placed on students who do not comply with the dress code. SMCMS Administration reserves the right to make final interpretations or changes in the dress code above.

 

Elementary (K-5) Dress Code 2025-26

Every Friday, during the 2025-26 school year, will be a Zephyr Spirit Day. On these days, students may wear Zephyr spirit items or school colors with comfortable bottoms (athletic bottoms, jeans, leggings, etc.). 

Bottoms (Girls & Boys):
All bottoms must be solid navy or khaki. SMCS plaid jumper is permitted for girls.

• Pants: navy blue or khaki solid-colored dress pants and cargo pants are allowed (no excessively tight or baggy, loose, long styles, sweatpants, athletic pants, leggings or yoga pants).
• Shorts and Capris: Solid navy blue or khaki shorts and capris may be worn in August, September, May, and June.
• Skirts: navy blue or khaki with tights, leggings or shorts required underneath.
• Skorts: navy blue or khaki must resemble a skirt with attached shorts.
• Dresses/Jumpers: solid navy, khaki or SMCS plaid jumpers must be worn with a collar (attached or on the shirt underneath). 
  • Polo dress may be worn in navy or light blue

Additional Guidelines:

• Leggings: Solid white, khaki, or navy leggings are permitted only when worn under skirts, skorts, or jumpers. Leggings or tights required from October through April.
• Modesty/bicycle/cartwheel shorts are required under skirts or jumpers in August, September, May, and June.
• Length: All shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, and polo dresses must be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
• Prohibited: Overalls, rompers, and jumpsuits (any fabric or color).
• All dress code items must adhere to the specified colors.

Tops (Girls & Boys):
All tops must be solid navy blue, light blue, or white. Logos, if present, must be no larger than 2"x2". Sleeveless tops are not allowed.

Approved tops include:

• Polo shirts (short or long sleeve)
• Oxford shirts or dress shirts
• Turtlenecks
• Blouses with a collar
• Cardigan sweaters (button or zip front)
• Pullover sweaters (crew-neck or v-neck)
• Sweater vests
• Crew-neck sweatshirts
• SMCS crewnecks, ¼ zips, or full zips (must be purchased from SMCS or an approved vendor)

Additional Guidelines:

• Tops worn under sweaters, vests, or sweatshirts must be a collared dress shirt, polo, or turtleneck in navy blue, white, or light blue.
• SMCS hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts are only allowed on Zephyr Spirit Days (Fridays) or Out of Uniform Days.

Footwear (Girls & Boys):

• Shoes must be weather appropriate and securely fastened.
  • Tennis shoes are highly recommended.
• Sandals may be worn in August, September, May and June; and must have a strap around the ankle.
  • Flip-flops or any backless sandals are not allowed.
• Socks or tights are required when wearing closed-toe shoes (not sandals).
  • Colors must be solid navy blue, khaki, light blue, or white.
• Indoor boots (without heels) are allowed during the school day.
• A second pair of non-marking or light-bottomed tennis shoes (tied or Velcro) must be kept at school at all times for physical education.

Mass Day Dress Code (Girls & Boys):

• Mass Days at SMCS should be treated as a special occasion. 
• Students should wear their regular dress code items. 
• Hooded sweatshirts of any type may not be worn to Mass. 
• Shirts must be tucked in.
• Out of Dress Code passes may NOT be used on Mass days. 
• All jewelry must be modest and appropriate for the church setting. 
• Because students may have a free dress day on their birthday, if the birthday falls on a Mass Day the student may change after Mass.
• Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, students will be required to wear a polo shirt featuring the SMCS logo to Mass. It will be optional during the 2025-2026 school year. Ordering info coming soon.

 
Miscellaneous (Girls & Boys):

• Make-up is not permitted.
• Extremes in jewelry, or accessories (hair decorations, belts, etc.) are not allowed. 
• Only natural-grown nails are allowed (no artificial nails). 
• Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and a natural shade. 
• Clothing should fit well, with nothing being too tight or too loose.
• Hats and/or headgear (including hoods) are not to be worn in the school building during the school day.
• Smartwatches are not permitted during the school day.