The Pell City Board of Education recognizes the effect that student dress and grooming have upon behavior and commitment to learning. It further recognizes the role of parents in assisting their children in asking appropriate choices regarding clothing, accessories, and personal appearances. In order to maintain and atmosphere conducive to learning, the Board requires that all students exercise good taste with regard to their personal appearance. Attire considered disruptive or that could present a health or safety problem is not appropriate.

With this in mind, the following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory for all students attending Pell City Schools. Students who fail to follow these rules shall be subject to disciplinary actions.

1. Any clothing, appearance, or personal hygiene and grooming practices that draw an inordinate amount of attention to the individual are considered inappropriate for school. The dress and/or grooming style of any student must not interfere with the educational process of any Pell City School.
2. Students must be neat and clean at all times. An unkempt or sloppy appearance is not appropriate in the learning environment of school. All clothes should be in a state of good repair, i.e., no holes, no cut-off shorts, etc.
3. Students are to wear clothing in the manner it was designated to be worn, i.e. clothing worn backward or inside out, suspenders undone are not allowed. Specifically, pants worn too low (low rider, sagging or slacking), too long (that drag the floor), or excessively large clothing are not permitted.
4. Students are not to wear clothing that reveals the body in an inappropriate manner. Shoulder straps should be at least 2 inches wide (Examples: clothing which is too tight, too short, bare at the midriff, bare at the sides, sundresses, “spaghetti strap” type tops, tank tops, and off-the shoulder tops, low-cut front or back tops, sheer or see through, etc.).
5. Length of shorts, dresses, skirts, etc., must not be shorter than 3 inches above top of knee (front and back). Length must be appropriate whether the student is standing or sitting. Spandex pants, leggings, jeggings, tight stretchy pants with or without pockets, leotard, etc., may be worn only when the top worn with them meets the 3 inch requirement (Long tee shirts are not allowed). Athletic, gym, nylon, spandex, swimsuit shorts are not allowed; and Palazzo pants are not encouraged to be worn.
6. Students are not to wear jewelry, ornaments, or accessories which distract from the educational process: excessively noisy jewelry and/or belts. Males may not wear earrings. Facial and/or tongue jewelry is not allowed for males or females.
7. T-shirts or any type clothing or personal item bearing a reference to alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, drug-related slogan, and or any other wording, drawing, pictures, etc. which in any way can be interpreted as being “off-color”, suggestive, obscene, or offensive or relating to, death, the occult, Satanism, etc. are not permitted. “Gang” related slogans, names, apparel, etc. are not permitted in school or at any school-related activities.
8. Caps, hats, bandannas, headbands, sunglasses, or other headwear are not worn during the regular school day.
9. Outerwear (coats, sunglasses, gloves, etc.) is not to be worn in the building during normal school time (unless temperature or individual medical problems dictate this to be appropriate and the proper documentation must be on file in the office).
10. All students are required to wear their hair in such a manner that is not considered unkempt, unclean, or impairing vision. Students are not to wear hair dyed in unusual colors, spiked, shave head areas, shave head patterns, (numbers, names, symbols, designs, mohawks, fohawks, etc.).
11. Students are not to wear extreme facial make-up.
12. Students should not wear heavy metal chains, metal spiked apparel, or accessories, etc.
13. Students are required to wear appropriate shoes at all times-no bare feet. Boots with chains, steel toes, or other metal reinforcement or decorations are not allowed. Students may be asked to remove shoes that present a safety risk to students.
14. Cheerleader, dance team, etc. uniforms are not to be worn to class.
15. Gym style sweat pants, wind suites, or nylon warm up suites are not to be worn except in physical education.
16. Clear and/or mesh book bags and backpacks may be required for grades 5-12.
17. Boys are expected to keep their shirts tucked in every day, wear a belt daily if the pants have loops, and pants should be pulled up around the natural waist line.
18. Facial hair is not permitted.
19. Girls should never wear shirts that are revealing around the chest area. Undergarments should never be revealed.
20. The principal or his/her designee will make the final judgment on dress code issues and as to whether or not student’s clothing is appropriate for school wear.