DRESS GUIDELINES

For complete school dress guidelines, please consult the Student-Parent Handbook.

Dress Guidelines. Fredericksburg Academy expects a high standard of neatness and cleanliness at all times and requires that all students show moderation and sensitivity. This set of expectations forms the basis of the FA Dress Guidelines. Guidelines have been set with age-appropriateness in mind and vary slightly from division to division. Parents are asked to be aware of what is and what is not permissible to wear during the school day.

Lower School. Students will follow the regular FA dress guidelines as outlined in the Parent-Student handbook with the following suggestions:

Students in all grades are encouraged to come to school in comfortable clothes for indoor and outdoor instructional and play time.

Denim may be worn every day in all Lower School grades. The dress guidelines for our youngest children are based on concern for safety, independence, and modesty.

Middle and Upper School. These guidelines provide the expectation for school-appropriate student dress that supports the learning process for all students and support FA’s missions and beliefs. More specifically, these guidelines place a preeminence on learning, safety, community, and inclusivity while allowing for self-expression. Although a planned activity may allow or require students to dress differently, they are expected to always follow the minumum expectation of clean and respectful dress. The guidelines apply equally to all students unless accommodations are approved by the appropriate division head.

On a typical school day, Middle and Upper School student dress should adhere to the following guidelines: to be school appropriate, clothing must allow a student to participate fully in the variety of activities that take place. School appropriate is defined as shirts, pants, and shoes or their equivalents that are clean and respectful, season appropriate, dressy or casual, non-military, and have no text or image that is discriminatory, offensive, ostentatious, or portrays violence, alcohol, tobacco or tobacco-related products, drugs, or sex. As long as it adheres to the definition of school appropriate, an article of clothing may be solid color or patterned, be denim of any color, display graphics or text, be fashionably but not excessively frayed or ripped, and contain camouflage.

The responsibility for a student’s dress resides primarily with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s) but the school is responsible for determining if student dress meets these guidelines. To start the year, students are expected to follow the regular dress guidelines Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Fridays will be Athletic Attire Days.

Special Dress Days. Special dress days happen frequently throughout the school year and will be announced to the students by the school administration in advance. On Dress Up Days, students are required to come to school in appropriate dressy attire. On Comfy Days, students may wear school appropriate but more casual clothing, including pajama pants and slippers. On Athletic Attire Days, students may wear athletic clothing, including yoga pants and Crocs. On Theme Days, students may dress based on the announced theme or holiday, such as FA school colors or Halloween. Recommendations for footwear may also be made depending on any activities planned for the day. Except for Dress Up Days, which are required, students choosing not to dress according to the announced special day must follow the regular dress guidelines.

Fredericksburg Academy is set apart from other schools because of our people, our philosophy, and our program.

A safe and compassionate community is our foundation. Teaching must be thoughtful, persistent, respectful, and passionate. Diversity of thought and people inspires critical thinking and self-knowledge. Each student's intellectual, ethical, emotional, social, and physical development is essential. Strength and resilience are cultivated through achievement and mistakes, joy and disappointment. Mastery requires mentorship, application, and reflection. Through opportunities in academics, the arts, athletics, leadership, and citizenship, students define their paths.

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