Dress Code
DRESS CODE
Texas Leadership Public Schools' Board of Directors has implemented a mandatory dress code for all
students. There are many positive reasons for a school dress code, including:
● A dress code encourages students to express their individuality through personality and
academic achievements, not outward appearances.
● A dress code puts the focus on academics, not fashion, because they project a neat, serious,
businesslike image.
● Schools with dress codes have fewer discipline problems because students are less distracted.
● Dress codes can be less expensive.
● Dress codes eliminate the visible differences between financially challenged and wealthy
children.
● Dress codes eliminate pressure to wear brand name clothing, "gang colors," etc.
● Dress codes create a sense of school pride and belonging.
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
Texas Leadership is a school of choice that requires students to wear uniforms. Student uniforms make a
statement that students belong to a unique school environment with a strong commitment to educational
excellence. The uniqueness of the student does not rest in the apparel they wear, but in the inner qualities
and gifts of the student. All students are required to attend each school day in full uniform. Uniforms are
to be worn from the first day of school through the last day of school. In order to minimize loss and
simplify identification, all clothing should be labeled with the student’s name. Texas Leadership polo
shirts must be purchased from campus offices or the TLPS online store.
Shirts
Solid color: royal blue, black, or white Texas Leadership polo shirt with school logo on the front.
Pants/Shorts
● Solid desert sand or khaki, solid black, or solid gray in color
● All lower-body clothing should be made of twill, corduroy, or denim material.
● Girls should not wear “form-fitting” pants that are excessively tight or stretchy.
● Girls may wear solid khaki, black or gray skirts that are at least KNEE LENGTH.
● Jogger, carpenter, cargo, cargo shorts or painter pants are not allowed.
● Shorts are allowed in KG-4th grade and must be fingertip length.
● Shorts are allowed in 5th-12th grade and must be no more than 3 inches above the knee.
● Campus administration has final determination if pants are acceptable or not.
Student ID (For Participating Campuses)
● SmartTAG Student IDs are to be worn as issued by Campus Administration, as part of student
uniforms
● IDs must be worn on a lanyard and must be visible at all times
● See Student ID badges below for more information
Outerwear
● Outerwear is defined as sweaters, pullovers, jackets, or coats that are designed to be worn OVER
other clothing. Texas Leadership uniform shirts must be worn under all outerwear. Hoods may
not be worn in the building at any time.
● Any OFFICIAL Texas Leadership outerwear (letter jacket, sweatshirt) is acceptable.
● Any other outerwear must meet certain criteria:
It must fit within the color scheme of the TLPS uniform. The only acceptable colors for outerwear
would be black, white, gray, royal blue, navy blue, and khaki.
Accessories
● White, black, khaki, gray, or navy socks or tights.
● Undershirts must be solid white, black, khaki, navy or royal blue without a logo and tucked in.
● White, black, khaki, navy or royal blue turtleneck sweaters may be layered underneath the
uniform and tucked in.
● Belts must be solid black, brown, white or khaki in color with a small standard belt buckle. Belts
and pants must be worn at the natural waist.
Footwear
● The following are examples of unacceptable footwear:
o Sandals
o Flip-flops or shower shoes
o Crocs
o Wheeled shoes
o Light up shoes
o Open-toed shoes
o Shoes with more than 1" heels or boots with more than 2" heels.
● Shoes must have both closed toe and closed heels.
● Tennis/athletic shoes, dress shoes, and boots are acceptable.
● Laces can be colored to match the shoe color, but both laces must be the same
Spirit Days Jeans
● Students should wear only blue denim jeans or regular uniform pants
● There should be no printed logos or emblems on jeans.
● There should be no rips, holes, defects or skids in jeans.
● Jeans must be worn in a proper manner at the natural waist.
Spirit Day Shirts
● A spirit shirt purchased from athletic or campus organizations or a uniform shirt is allowed.
● There should be no rips, holes, defects or skids in spirit shirts.
● Girls may wear denim skirts on Spirit Day that are at least KNEE LENGTH.
● All spirit wear is subject to campus principal or administrative approval.
Jewelry
● No one is permitted to wear earrings anywhere on their bodies except the ear.
● Nose rings are not permitted. However, modest studs may be worn. No piercings are allowed in
the septum.
● Ear gauges, plugs and tunnels are not permitted
● Jewelry may not represent or contain inappropriate content as determined by campus
administration.
● All allowed jewelry is at the discretion of the campus administration.
Uniform infractions will be handled by campus administration
● If a violation can be corrected (e.g., holes in jeans), it will be corrected and the student will be
sent back to class.
● If a violation requires a change of clothes, the student will remain in the office or In School
Suspension (ISS) until the violation is corrected. Once the violation is corrected, the student will
be sent back to class.
● Repeated occurrences will be considered insubordination and may require additional
disciplinary action.
Basic dress code requirements:
● A parent may be required to bring a change of clothing for any child wearing an item of clothing
that the principal finds to be inappropriate or that interferes with the learning environment.
● Hats, caps, shower caps, sweatbands, and beanies will not be worn inside any classroom or
building during the school day. Only girls may wear headbands that coordinate with their TLPS
uniform.
● Pants must be worn in a proper manner on the natural waist.
● Bandanas and skullcaps are not allowed at school functions at any time unless it is part of an
athletic uniform.
● Texas Leadership uniform shirts must be worn under all outerwear. Hoods may not be worn in
the building at any time.
● Gang symbols are not allowed.
● Nonconforming hairstyles of any kind will not be allowed at school. Hair should be neatly groomed
with no extreme colors or styles for boys or girls. Final decisions on appropriate hairstyles and
colors will be made by the campus or central office administration.
● Any facial hair will be neatly groomed at all times and be of natural color
● Hair picks are not allowed to be worn in the hair
● No inappropriate dress should be worn at any time. Only school uniforms and appropriate
outerwear are allowed on campus at all times.
● Participants in extracurricular activities may have additional dress code requirements.
● Excessive dress code violations will be treated as defiant and disrespectful behavior and may
result in a disciplinary referral.
The Campus Principal will have the final decision on all of the above items.
BACKPACKS/ATHLETIC BAGS
Only clear or full mesh backpacks are allowed in buildings. Students will not be allowed to carry athletic
bags or return to them once they are in their designated drop area.