The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has implemented new educationally appropriate dress and appearance expectations. The responsibility for the dress and appearance of a student rests primarily with the student and their parents or guardians. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment, the district believes in the following basic principles:

 • All students are encouraged to dress in a manner that is appropriate, comfortable and conducive to an active academic school day.

 • Students should be able to wear clothing without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.

 • The student dress code should serve to support all students to develop a body-positive self image.

The District standard dress and appearance policy is gender neutral and applies to all students equally regardless of gender on school campuses and at school-sponsored functions and will be enforced consistently and fairly by all members of the school staff.

 Examples of inappropriate clothing include:

• clothing where the buttocks or torso is exposed, i.e., tube tops, half shirts, halters

• clothing that is see-through. (clothing must be opaque)

• clothing or accessories that show profanity, obscene words or pictures, sexually suggestive statements, violence, or incitement to violence

• clothing representing gang-related activities

• clothing where the entire thigh is exposed, such as micro minis or short shorts.

• bathing suits or cut-offs 

• the wearing and carrying of tobacco promotional items, or items promoting controlled substances (drugs) and/or alcohol 

• clothing where undergarments are exposed

• clothing that has text or visual images that is libelous, bullying, constitutes harassment or discrimination

• footwear must be worn at school and all functions 

• no backless or open toe footwear 

• hoodies can be worn in school but students can not wear the hood on their heads in school.

No headgear including, but not limited to, scarves, hats, rags, or wraps.