Dress Code Expectations

Dress and Grooming Standards for Young Ladies

GBS colors include black, gray, red and white. 

1. Lands' End Uniform:  Students are required to wear GBS uniforms during the school day and selected events. The length and fit of shirt, pants, skirts, and shorts are regulated by our official school vendor, Lands End.  With the exception of sizing problems, i.e., too long or too short, alterations would violate GBS general criteria and are not permitted. 
2. Shoes/socks: Shoes must be worn at all times and should be practical and safe for school related activities. All footwear must be closed toed and have a covered heel. All socks must be solid GBS colors. Tights and leggings may only be worn under skirts or shorts and must be solid GBS colors.
3. Sweaters and sweatshirts: All sweaters and sweatshirts must have an approved Grace Brethren branded design. A sweatshirt is defined as being made of cotton, jersey or fleece material; pull-over, hooded or zip-up. A sweater is knit material; pull-over, button-up or zip-up. These can be worn at any time during the school day.
4. Jackets and coats: In times of inclement weather, students may wear non-uniform rain jackets and coats outside of the classroom and chapel; however, once inside, jackets must be removed. Non-Grace Brethren sweatshirts and/or sweaters, flannel shirts are not acceptable on campus.
5. Long sleeved undershirts: Long sleeved undershirts must be GBS colors (solid) with no additional writing or designs and be worn under a GBS polo shirt.
6. Hair: Hair color must be natural and neat without any unusual styles or colors.
7. Cosmetics: Cosmetics and makeup such as lipstick, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush and/or artificial nails are not permitted.
8. Jewelry:  Only studded earrings are allowed due to safety issues and should not be excessive. If hoops or dangling earrings are worn they will be confiscated immediately and may be picked up in the office at the end of the day.

Spirit Wear: Students may wear spirit wear on Fridays with uniform bottoms. Spirit Wear consists of GB logoed sweatshirts, t-shirts, jerseys and polos.  Sports jersey uniform: Students may wear their sport jersey uniform on game days, but must wear school uniform bottoms.

Free Dress Days: On occasion, Administration will permit free dress in observance of holidays (9/11, St. Patrick’s Day, last week of school). Attire must be appropriate and modest at all times. During these times the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Shirts: Shirt should be worn at all times and in the students appropriate size. Tight or oversized shirts are not permitted. Shirts must be an appropriate length to cover the entire torso. Tank tops are permitted as long as the strap width is 1” or more. Spaghetti straps, crop tops and language or pictures demeaned unsuitable by administration will not be permitted.
2. Bottoms: Pants should be free of rips and tears. Leggings, work out pants and tights are not permitted unless worn under dresses, skirts, or shorts. For young ladies, dresses, skirts and shorts must reach the tip of the middle finger when hands are at their sides.

GBS reserves the right to make the final decision in regard to dress. Students may be withheld from class when not in proper dress or grooming and the missed class time is unexcused. Parents will be notified and will be required to bring the student proper clothing. Parental review and support before a student leaves for school is an important aspect of meeting dress and grooming standards. This is an opportunity for all students to learn submission to authority as it is a life long skill.

1st VIOLATION: A notification will be sent home to inform the parent of the violation. 

2nd VIOLATION: The student will be sent to the office and a telephone call will be made to the parents. If the dress code violation is a modesty issue, students will be required to change clothes. If the violation relates to hair standards, parents will have 2 days to comply. If the violation pertains to makeup, the student will be asked to wash his/her face.

3rd VIOLATION: A telephone call will be made to the parents and the student will receive a disciplinary consequence.

General Dress Requirements for All Students

GBS colors include black, gray, red and white. 

1. Lands’ End Uniform: Students are required to wear GBS uniforms during the school day and selected events. The length and fit of shirt, pants, skirts, and shorts are provided by our official school vendor, Lands’ End.   With the exception of sizing problems, i.e., too long or too short, alterations would be outside the GBS Dress Code and are not permitted.
2. Long sleeved undershirts: Long sleeved undershirts must be GBS colors (solid) with no additional writing or designs.
3. Under Armour Polos: Grace Brethren Schools’ Under Armor polo shirts may be worn in addition to the GBS uniform polo.
4. Jeans: Students may wear jeans in addition to Lands’ End pants or shorts.  No bleach marks, fade streaks, discoloration, alterations, holes or frays will be allowed at any time.  Jeans must be a single, uniform color. Belts are preferred and students may be required to wear a belt if deemed appropriate by the Administration.
5. Sweaters and sweatshirts: All sweaters and sweatshirts must have an approved Grace Brethren Schools’ branded design. A sweatshirt is defined as being made of cotton, jersey or fleece material; pull-over, hooded or zip-up. A sweater is knit material; pull-over, button-up or zip-up. These can be worn at any time during the school day. These may not be worn under a school polo shirt.
6. Jackets and coats: In times of inclement weather, students may wear non-uniform rain jackets and coats outside of the classroom and chapel; however, once inside, all non-GBS branded jackets must be removed. Non-Grace Brethren sweatshirts and/or sweaters, flannel shirts are not acceptable on campus.  Non-Grace Brethren jackets may not have a logo, manufacturer label or a non-Grace Brethren graphic greater than 1 square inch.
7. Shoes: Shoes must be worn at all times and should be practical and safe for school related activities. All footwear must be closed toed and have a covered heel.  All socks must be solid GBS colors.  Flip flops or slippers are not allowed at any time on campus. Heels on any shoe may not be higher than two inches. 
8. Headwear: No hats, hoods or other headwear of any kind are allowed on campus during school hours. Winter headwear may be allowed during inclement weather but is subject to approval by the Administration.
9. Hair: Hair may only be subdued natural colors and must be well groomed and kept out of the face. Hairstyles and colors must not be extreme and must be representative of the conservative Christian environment we seek to maintain at all times.
10. Tattoos and Piercings: No visible tattoos or body piercings, including nose piercings (covered or not), or gauges are permitted at any time. Girls may also wear earrings as long as they are not excessive or pose a distraction.
11. Jewelry or any other accessories: Sunglasses and headphones may only be worn outside. One ear should remain free of a headphone or earbud at all times.  All other accouterments must be kept simple and non-distracting. Pendants or any other type of symbols must be representative of the characteristics as described in Philippians 4:8.

Specific Requirements for Young Women:

1. Skirts, dresses, and skorts must be no shorter than three inches above the kneecap including any slits.
2. Shirts must not reveal any cleavage or be worn excessively tight.
3. Shirts must not be revealing and not excessively tight.  The waistline shall be covered at all times.
4. A girl’s midriff must be covered at all times.
5. Girls may wear make-up and nail polish that is modest and not heavy

Athletic Dress: The approved PE uniform will be available for purchase by our official school vendor, Lands’ End.  This uniform must be worn and not altered in any way. Girls are not permitted to roll their shorts at the waistband. In the event of cold weather, you can wear loose-fitting sweat pants or warm ups. Yoga pants, leggings and form-fitting sweats are not permitted.

Spirit Days: Modesty must be a priority. All mandates of the Dress Code still need to be followed unless a divergence from this section is specifically apply to the day (e.g. on a sports dress day, team logos would be permitted). Tank tops, tights, hats and immodest apparel are not permitted. Students not participating in the specified Spirit Dress must be within regular dress code.

Homecoming/JSB Banquet Attire: All formal attire must be modest and avoid extremes that some might find distracting or offensive. All general school guidelines apply to Homecoming and Junior/Senior Banquet, including, but not limited to, the policies regarding facial hair, piercings and tattoos.

• Boys’ Attire: We expect young men to wear nice pants, dress shirts and ties. Jeans are not allowed. Tuxedos and sport coats are encouraged but not required.
• Girls’ Attire: Skirts and dresses must be no shorter than 3 inches from the top of the kneecap. Length is measured according to solid fabric, not lace or sheer fabric. Slits must observe the same guidelines. Low cut necklines are not permitted. Dresses may not be cut below the bust line, either in front or on the sides. There should be no visible cleavage. One shoulder, halter and spaghetti straps are allowed. Strapless dresses are not allowed even if the straps are on one’s arms. Dresses may be backless as long as they are not cut below the navel and the sides are covered up to the bust line. Dresses may not have any cutouts or holes on the front or sides, even if covered by sheer fabric. Bare midriffs are not permitted. All female GBS students and guests must have their formal dress approved by an Administrator prior to the event.
• Students who are not dressed appropriately for Homecoming or Junior/Senior Banquet will not be permitted into the event. No refunds will be given.

In cases of any disputes with the Dress Code, all final decisions will be made by the Administration.

1. Biblical standards of modesty (I Timothy 2:9, Romans 12:1, Philippians 4:8)
2. The desire for a neat, clean, and attractive appearance.

To maintain modesty, dress should be distinctly masculine or feminine. Students are not permitted to dress like the opposite gender (Deuteronomy 22:5).

When selecting clothing and hairstyles, students need to consider each of these questions:

1. Is it modest and properly fitted?
2. Does the clothing present a health or safety hazard?
3. In choosing what clothes to wear today, whose attention do I desire and whose approval do I want?
4. Am I seeking to please God or impress others?
5. Is what I wear consistent with biblical values of modesty, self-control, love for my brothers and sisters and respectable apparel or does my apparel reveal identification with biblical values? (1 John 2:15-17)
6. In deference to the Dress Code Guidelines set forth for our students, we request that parents and visitors dress modestly while at school or at school functions.