Seminole County Public Schools’ dress code policy is intended to create a safe, orderly, professional atmosphere for all students regardless of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, body type, socioeconomic circumstances, culture, or religion. This policy intends to ensure access to a safe, equitable education. Responsibility for the dress and appearance of students enrolled in the Seminole County Public Schools primarily rests with parents and the students. Some student apparel, however, may not be appropriate to wear to school, even though that same apparel may be appropriate to wear in other settings. The standards of appearance for students shall ensure that students are clean, neat, and properly dressed. They shall observe modes of dress and standards of personal grooming which are appropriate for the academic environment. It is the responsibility of the principal to see that the dress appearance of any student shall not be extreme, to the point of creating a disturbance, or is hazardous to self, others, or school property, whether or not the specific case is covered by the information below.

The principal or principal’s designee has the final authority for interpreting whether a student's apparel/appearance conforms to the dress code.

To assist parents and students in making appropriate fashion and grooming decisions for school, the School Board has established the following minimal guidelines for the appearance and dress of ALL students:

• Clothing Coverage: Clothing must fully cover areas from one armpit to the other armpit, down to the thigh. Lower garments must completely cover the buttocks at all times. All tops must have shoulder straps, be long enough to cover the waistline, and must not expose the midriff or undergarments at any time. (See the diagram above for reference).
• Transparent Clothing: See-through or mesh garments must be worn with clothing over or under it and must meet the standard for clothing coverage (see the diagram on page 17 for reference).
• Accessories: Clothing, Jewelry, or accessories shall not convey messages that are: crude, vulgar/profane, violent/death-oriented, gang related, sexually suggestive, or promote alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Jewelry or accessories that pose a safety concern for the students or others are not permitted.
• Head: Headwear must not impede the ability to see the student’s face for identification purposes. Face coverings may be worn for medical, health, safety, and preventative measures only. Exceptions will be made for religious practice and/or school related events. Sunglasses are permitted to be worn on campus but must be removed upon entering all school buildings/classrooms.
• Footwear: All students shall wear shoes/footwear. Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the learning environment. Students must wear athletic shoes in all PE classes and/or outdoor activities. Students may be required to wear certain footwear for specific courses (for example: culinary, CTE, band, etc.) to ensure safety.
• Personal Technology: Due to school and safety concerns, personal technology (headphones, earbuds, and other accessories) is restricted to minimal volume, only to be heard by the user. When the user is in a common area of the school campus, one ear must remain free of the accessory at all times. Personal technology, including headphones and earbuds, is prohibited upon entry into the classroom unless permission is granted by the teacher. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by administration, faculty, or staff. Note: Pursuant to Florida Statute during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time. Each school principal, in collaboration with staff, will develop procedures to address violations of the personal technology policy.

• Application/Exceptions: The dress code guidelines shall apply to all school days and ALL school activities (for example: sporting events, dances, field trips, and graduations). The principal or principal’s designee may make exceptions to the dress code for special school events.