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Dress Code

 

East St. Louis School District 189 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

6.20 School Dress Code (Updated July 2025)

Students are expected to wear clothing in a neat, clean, and well fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school sponsored activities.  Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a substantial disruption in the school environment or that compromises standards of health and safety.  School spirit wear and uniforms are always welcomed.

All students’ dress* will conform to the following (does not include clothing designated for religious reasons):

  • Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or picture alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images.
  • Student dress (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including sexual innuendo, RIP images, gang affiliation/symbols or occult reference.
  • Students must remove their head coverings upon entering the building, unless it is part of their religious identity.  Hats, coats, bonnets, scarves, bandannas, sweat bands, and sunglasses may not be worn in the building during the school day.  Up to 3” flat headbands are allowable. 
  • Hair styles, dress, and accessories that pose a safety hazard are not permitted in the shop, laboratories, or during physical education.  
  • Clothing with holes, rips, tears, and clothing that is otherwise poorly fitting, showing undergarments and/or skin may not be worn at school. Ripped pants or jeans are only allowed if leggings are used underneath to cover skin.  No tank tops.
  • The length of shorts or skirts must be appropriate for the school environment.  Students’ skirt hems must come to the top of their knees.  A two inch hem allowance will be granted provided the student is wearing black (solid color) tights, jeggings, or leggings.  Skin-tight attire such as tube dresses, liquid pants, jeggings and leggings are not allowed to be worn alone.
  • Pants or jeans must be worn at the waist so that undergarments and midriff skin are not visible.  If a belt is needed to secure pants at the waist, it should be used.
  • Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Students are required to wear closed-toe shoes with a secure backing. High heels, slippers, and flip-flops are not permitted. Crocs are allowed only when worn in sports mode (with the heel strap in place).
  • No accessories with sharp or pointed protrusions.
  • All worn jackets, hoodies, and sweaters must comply with the dress code. Hoods must NOT be worn in the building.
  • If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building principal will make the final decision.  
  • During any remote learning students should be appropriately dressed, following all other dress code requirements.
  • Students must follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidance concerning face coverings when enforced.

*Students who are not dress-code compliant may be asked to change clothes or wear an article of clothing provided by the school. Students whose dress causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff or others may be subject to discipline.

Please note: District administration reserves the right to adjust dress code or uniform expectations as needed to enhance the educational environment or ensure student safety.