Dress Code

Tardies to Class During the Academic Day

Students who are having a difficult time getting to a class on time during the school day may find these penalties applied earlier and more often.

Tardies following Off Campus Privileges

For juniors and seniors who choose to use an off-campus privilege during their study hall period, consistent punctuality is imperative for their first academic course of the day. If a student is tardy twice following an offcampus privilege, they will be subject to removal of their off-campus privileges. For a further description of off-campus privileges, please see Appendix C.

Exam Exemption

To be exempt from final exams, the attendance policy requires that a student have no more than 5 absences for the semester (excused or unexcused, not counting the allotted approved college days).

The purpose of the school’s dress code is to ensure that students dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9), to ensure that they do not seek to draw undue attention to themselves, to encourage a dignity appropriate for the school setting and to encourage an appearance that is consistent with the school’s mission and values. It is the prayer of the School Board and the administration that parents and students will view the dress code as creating not only the proper school environment, but also as an occasion to discuss lifelong personal dress standards, with the understanding that one’s dress is ultimately a matter of the heart (1 Peter 3:3-4).

The School Board is responsible for monitoring the dress code standards. Suggestions concerning the dress code may be addressed to the Superintendent. The School Board will review and evaluate the dress code policy as needed.

As our policy reflects the philosophy of the school, we ask parents to dress appropriately and with respect to the spirit of the dress code when on campus and attending off-campus school functions. This will communicate a unified philosophy and example to our students.

The Bible is clear that the “inner man” is more important than the outward appearance. We want students to understand that the institutional preferences listed in this handbook are an attempt to legislate a sharp, conservative, and functional appearance for the purpose of concentrating on the business of an academic day.

All clothing must be modest, neat and appropriate for the business of an academic day.

Specific Standards for Upper School Students

Girls: All clothing, hair and accessories must be modest, neat, and appropriate. This includes the covering of the midriff and shoulders at all times. Modesty is defined as no low-cut tops, no exposed midriffs, no short skirts and no clothing that is too tight.

Girls’ Pants: Girls may wear dress slacks or jeans that are straight-leg/boot-cut/flair that are not form fitting. They may not wear tight pants, shorts, leggings/jeggings, joggers (defined as any pant with an elastic bottom), sweatpants, yoga pants, athletic clothing, extreme fabrics (velvet, leather, silk, etc.), hunting attire or military fatigues or pants that are too casual for an academic setting.

Girls’ Skirts/Dresses: Any type of skirt or dress must have a hemline that is no shorter than 2” above the top of the knee (approximately 3 fingers). Girls may not wear oversized shirts as a dress, extreme fabrics (mentioned above), any skirt that appears to be immodest or a skirt that is too tight. Additionally, split skirts are measured at the top of the split and overlay skirts are measured at the solid part (not the lace or sheer overlay). It is suggested that girls sit down in their skirts to check the comfort level and possible appearance of immodesty.

Girls’ Tights: Tights may be worn under a dress code length skirt or dress. Tights must be of a solid color. Fishnet or patterned tights are not allowed.

Girls’ Tops: Girls may wear blouses, dress shirts with small brand logos, and sweaters. Girls must adhere to the following policies regarding tops: ● All tops should be long enough to reach the hip joint ● No sleeveless tops. Slitted sleeves are allowed as long as they are capped at the shoulders ● No bare shoulders, midriffs, or bare backs ● No visible undergarments (or tightness of top that reveals outline of underwear) ● No low-cut tops (must be above a strapless topline) ● No camisoles worn as a top ● No sheer tops or lace overlays unless a dress code top or tank top with wide straps is worn underneath. The top underneath the overlay must cover all undergarments ● No casual t-shirts (t-shirts of all kinds are not to be worn without prior approval) ● No shirts with wording or graphics without prior approval

NOTE: Special days for wearing certain t-shirts will be set aside at the approval of the administration only. Sports team t-shirts must have approval of the administration before being worn to school.

Girls’ Outerwear: Girls may wear sweaters, jackets, and hoodies/sweatshirts. Girls must wear a dress-code approved top under all outerwear. All sweatshirts should be properly sized, in good condition, and one of the following: ● BCS issued, ● Collegiate, or ● Solid colored or patterned with a small “pocket sized” logo on the chest

Girls’ Accessories: Girls are not allowed to have visible permanent or temporary tattoo markings. Jewelry and makeup must be in good taste. Girls may not have extreme hairstyles, hair colors or makeup. Girls may not have cartilage piercings, body piercings or gauges or wear hair feathers, hats or toboggans. Girls may not wear clothing that bears the name or logo of another high school.

Other Girls’ Dress Code Notes: Athletic wear may not be worn during the school day without administration approval. Hats are not to be worn in the school building. For girls, appropriate guidelines include not dressing as or impersonating a male at any time in school or at any school function (dance, picture days, etc.).

Boys: All clothing must be modest, neat, appropriate, and wrinkle-free. Hats are not to be worn indoors.

Boys’ Pants: Boys may wear dress slacks, khakis, blue jeans and khaki shorts. These pants are always to be worn with belts and never below the waist. They may not wear pants that are frayed, torn or overly worn. They may not wear camouflage, cargo pants, sweatpants, joggers (defined as any pants with an elastic bottom) or pants with an extreme style, color or fabric. Shorts must be khaki in color and knee length.

Boys’ Shirts: Boys shirts should be collared and tucked in. Shirts with buttons must be buttoned high enough to hide a bare chest. Boys may not wear t-shirts or shirts without a folded collar. No student is to wear clothing that bears the name or logo of another high school.

Boys’ Outerwear: Boys may wear sweaters, jackets, and hoodies/sweatshirts. Boys must wear a collared shirt under all outerwear. All sweatshirts should be properly sized, in good condition, and one of the following: ● BCS issued, ● Collegiate, or ● Solid colored or patterned with a small “pocket sized” logo on the chest

Boys’ Shoes: Boys must wear closed-toe and closed heel shoes.

Boys’ Grooming: Boys’ hair must not hang below the collar, touch the eyebrows or extend below the middle of the ear. Sideburns should not extend below the base of the earlobe. Boys’ hair may not be so thick that it appears unkempt. No extreme hairstyles will be allowed (examples include but are not limited to mohawks, “man buns,” and hair dyed unnatural colors).

All boys must be clean-shaven at the start of the school day. Boys are not allowed to have piercings of any sort. Boys are not allowed to have visible permanent or temporary tattoo markings.

Other Boys’ Dress Code Notes: Athletic wear may not be worn during the school day without administration approval. Hats are not to be worn in the school building. For boys, appropriate guidelines include not dressing as or impersonating a female at any time in school or at any school function (dance, picture days, etc.).

Athletics/Athletic Events Dress Code Standards

While athletic attire is not allowed during school hours, it is appropriate after school during athletic practices/games. Any clothing worn at any school or athletic function should be appropriate and modest. Bare skin or its appearance is not appropriate either by players or fans. Boys may not go shirtless, with or without spectators, at athletic events or practices. Boys who wish to paint their upper bodies for athletic events must receive approval from a school administrator.

Any coordinated dress up theme for athletic events must be approved by the athletic director or administration. No communication is to be advertised regarding a themed dress up day without this approval.

Male athletes who are approved to wear uniforms during the school day must keep their shirts tucked in.

Students are to change clothes in locker rooms or restrooms only.

Dress Code for Briarwood Sponsored Dances

Students who do not comply with the guidelines for appropriate dress at dances and who are reported for non-compliance may receive disciplinary action.

Girls are required to dress neatly, tastefully, modestly and appropriate for the occasion. There should be NO tops that are extremely tight with a neckline below the strapless top line. The midriff must be covered. If tshirts are appropriate for the event, the wording and graphics should be in good taste.

Boys are required to dress neatly, tastefully and appropriate for the occasion. If t-shirts are appropriate for the event, the wording and graphics should be in good taste.

● Homecoming Dance - Girls are asked to wear semi-formal dresses or dressy pants. Dresses need to be no shorter than four inches above the knee including any slits or gatherings. No extremely tight tops with necklines below the strapless top line will be allowed and the midriff must be covered even as the arms are raised. Boys are required to wear a jacket, open collared or tie is appropriate and dress slacks or khakis. Corsages and boutonnieres are appropriate, if desired. ● Spring Fling (Sadie Hawkins/girls invite the boy) - Girls are asked to wear semi-formal dresses or dressy pants. Dresses need to be no shorter than four inches above the knee including any slits or gatherings.

No extremely tight tops with necklines below the strapless top line will be allowed and the midriff must be covered even as the arms are raised. Boys are required to wear a coat and tie with dress slacks or khakis. Corsages and boutonnieres are appropriate, if desired. ● Junior/Senior Social - Appropriate dress for girls would be floor length dresses or formal pants. No extremely tight tops with necklines below the strapless top line will be allowed and the midriff must be covered even as the arms are raised. Tuxedos or dark suits with ties are appropriate for boys. Corsages and boutonnieres are appropriate, if desired.

Dress Code for Off Campus School Sponsored or School Sanctioned Activities

Modesty is required at all school functions. Each student must make sure that their clothing is consistent with school values. Proper attire may be discussed with students prior to each special event. This will enable students to know specifically what is expected.

Girls should avoid dresses that are low cut, too short, expose the midriff, and other such examples of immodesty. Halter-tops, tube tops or bare midriffs are not permitted. When slacks or shorts are worn, they should be in keeping with the general standards of good taste reflected in the school’s dress code.