Catholic School Uniforms

From LoveToKnow Kids

Catholic school uniforms are a part of everyday life for the almost 2.5 million students who attend Catholic schools in the United States.

Why are Uniforms Required?

Catholic schools, as education ministries of the Roman Catholic Church, seek to provide students with a curriculum that incorporates the study of religion and theology into secular subjects. Catholic schools require uniforms for many of the same reasons that other schools consider making uniforms part of the dress code.

  • They promote a sense that school is a responsibility to be taken seriously. Just as adults must dress for work in business attire, students must dress for school in their uniforms.
  • They promote a feeling of school spirit. When students wear their uniforms, they become part of a team within the school.
  • They help keep the focus on learning, since students can't waste class time discussing fashion trends and comparing outfits.

Typical Catholic School Uniform Rules

Actual Catholic school uniforms vary according to school and location, but there are a few general guidelines that most schools follow.

Uniforms for Boys

For boys, a uniform may include a collared dress shirt and tie with a blazer and dress slacks. Some schools, however, opt for a less formal dress code and allow sweaters in the winter and polo shirts in the summer. Dress shoes are required as well.

Uniforms for Girls

Young girls who attend Catholic schools typically wear a plaid jumper over a blouse with bike shorts underneath the jumper. Junior high and high school students typically wear a plaid skirt, skort, or culottes and blouse. Sometimes the blouse must be worn with a sweater or sweater vest. Dress shoes are required as well.

Although it's common for teen girls to want to alter their uniforms, this is typically not permitted. Skirts may not be shortened, and blouses may not be tied to appear more revealing. While pop stars such as Britney Spears have famously given a sexy interpretation to Catholic school uniforms, modesty is prized in a traditional academic setting.

Unisex Uniforms

Occasionally, some schools will have a policy of unisex uniforms. These uniforms are generally dress pants and a shirt with the school logo. This is often more comfortable for the female students and useful for parents who want to pass uniforms down between siblings.

Seasonal Variations

Depending upon where you live, Catholic schools may allow for seasonal variations in the uniforms. Obviously, a Midwestern boy wearing a dress shirt and wool blazer is going to be hot and uncomfortable attending classes in August. Having different uniforms for spring and fall use can help make students more accepting of a school's uniform policy, but this does result in an extra expense for parents.

Buying Uniforms

In most cases, schools that require uniforms have purchasing agreements in place with a specific uniform provider. For example, Land's End is a popular vendor for elementary schools. Requiring parents to buy uniforms from one particular company ensures consistency in dress. Some companies also offer discounts for these bulk purchases.

To accommodate students from low income families, many schools have programs to assist with the cost of buying uniforms. It has also become popular for parent groups to organize clothing swaps for those who wish to obtain used uniforms for their children.

Dress Codes for Other Occasions

While students attending Catholic schools wear uniforms most of the time, they are allowed to wear their own clothes for dances and other special occasions. However, most school have fairly strict guidelines for what constitutes appropriate attire. For example, girls attending prom or other dances are often not allowed to wear dresses with halters, bare backs, low necklines, visible midriffs, or slits shorter than two inches above the knee. Boys are not allowed to wear oversized clothing and must keep their shirts tucked in and ties properly tied at all times.

Retrieved from "http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Catholic_School_Uniforms"

 


Comment on Catholic School Uniforms



(Displayed with your comment)                        (Will not be displayed)
Verification Code:   
    

Kids Categories
LoveToKnow Tools
More Articles