Dress Code
An important goal of a dress code is to teach young people that in the larger arena of life, different types of dress are appropriate for different settings. Parents and guardians who send their students to AMHS, and students who choose the AMHS experience, accept the judgment of the Administration as final in matters of school policies and procedures, including dress code for a high school college preparatory environment. To that end, students in this academic setting are expected to be clean and neat in their personal appearance, observing standards of modesty, moderation, and good taste. “Modesty in dress” at this educational institution requires that students refrain from wearing such items as tight-fitting and revealing clothing, and from displaying visible cleavage, visible underwear, bare midriffs, etc. Attire that is distracting or extreme is also prohibited. Since the parent is the primary educator of the student, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the student is in correct dress code on a daily basis while on campus and at school functions.
The school reserves the right to regulate against upcoming fads or fashions that reflect negatively on the school and/or person. Interpretation and judgment in matters pertaining to dress and personal appearance are, obviously, necessary. In this area the Dean of Students or Assistant Dean is the final and sole judge of what is, or is not, acceptable for an individual student.
Students are expected to remain in code after school while on campus and when attending all Archbishop Mitty events. This includes athletic and other competitions, dances, liturgical events, performing arts events, awards ceremonies, Monarch Madness, field trips, etc., unless explicitly directed otherwise (see specifics below). Students who are unable to rectify the infraction will receive double the amount of detention.
The following norms govern student dress and personal appearance at Archbishop Mitty High School and all Archbishop Mitty events:
- All clothing must be clean, with no holes or patches.
- Frayed or unhemmed garments, clothing grinded to create dispersed holes/nicks/snags are not permitted (even if garment is sold this way).
- Clothing displaying language or symbols related to tobacco, drugs and alcohol are not permitted. Clothing displaying language or symbols of an offensive nature (sexist, obscene, or sexually suggestive), satanic lettering or pictures, violent expressions or images (including those connected to entertainment) are not permitted.
- Backpacks, books, notebook, etc., must be free of inappropriate patches, drawings and writings.
Athletic Attire——AMHS team sweatshirts and polo shirts are permissible. The following are not permitted:
- Athletic-style pants or shorts of any style or material.
- P.E. attire.
- Professional and college jerseys, shorts and uniforms.
- On the day of a contest, and only when sufficient time is not available to change clothing, athletes may change into uniforms with team warm-ups during their lunch period and wear this to afternoon classes. Athletes without team warm-ups to cover uniforms should provide their own warm-ups. Athletic attire must comply with the school modesty standard.
Caps and Hats——The following are not permitted:
- Caps, hats, visors, sport headbands, thermal ear bands, or sweatshirt hoods worn on campus before 2:35.
- Bandannas or kerchiefs.
Coats——Trench coats are not permitted.
Dresses, Skirts, Shirts and Blouses——The following are not permitted:
- Boatneck tops, sleeveless shirts, dresses, and blouses (cap sleeves are acceptable and shoulders must be covered).
- Tube and halter tops with a sweater/jacket or shirt covering shoulders.
- Necklines of shirts, blouses and dresses extending lower than a couple of inches from the collarbone.
- Shirts/blouses that reveal bare midriff, sides, or back (whether sitting, standing, reaching, bending). Tops should extend several inches below pant or skirt waistband.
- Dresses & skirts (and their slits) that do not stay at least 6” from mid-knee.
- Tight-fitting, spandex, or other form-hugging materials. This includes wearing such garments under short skirts.
- Transparent materials.
- Solid white tee-shirts worn alone (considered underwear).
- Camouflage shirts or jackets.
- Rolled-down waistband.
Hair——Must be clean, combed and neat. The following are not permitted:
- Spiked hair that stands out from the head more than one inch.
- Naturally curly hair that stands out from the head more than 3 inches.
- Hand-tosseled hairstyles that appear unkempt.
- Hair in front (“bangs”) below the eyebrows.
- Distracting hairstyles, including female shaved scalps.
- Male students’ hair longer than top of shoulders in back. Ponytails are not permitted.
- Unnatural coloring, streaking, tipping, bleaching, dyeing. Highlighting must be subtle with no notable difference between light and dark hair.
- Male sideburns lower than the bottom of the ear or extending out onto the cheek (unblocked).
- Beards and tuft of beard under lower lip (“stinger”). A neatly trimmed moustache is permitted. Students who are not clean-shaven will shave and be charged a fee of $1 for use of a razor. In the rare instance where facial hair cannot be shaved for medical reasons, (dermatologist note required), the student must receive permission from the Dean’s Office.
Jewelry and Makeup——The following are not permitted:
- Excessive jewelry and/or makeup (considered distracting).
- Extreme fashion jewelry not appropriate for school, i.e. ear “talons/claws.”
- With the exception of earrings (limited to two earrings per ear), jewelry that pierces the skin (nose, tongue, lip, eyebrow, belly button, etc.).
- “Ear plugs” or “flesh tunnels” (large discs or tubes that placed in a stretched ear piercing or other opening).
- Covering an otherwise visible piercing with a band-aid or clear stud.
- Hanging wallet/key chains or chain belts, large chains worn around the neck or wrist, chains with padlocks, and pointed-stud bands.
Pants——The following are not permitted:
- Swim suits and beach attire, including surf and board shorts.
- Athletic-style pants or shorts of any style or material.
- Shorts that do not stay at 6” from mid-knee.
- Tight-fitting pants and shorts (no spandex or form-hugging materials).
- Oversized (including leg width or length) and excessively baggy or sagging pants (pant waist/belt must be worn at the natural waist).
- Pajama bottoms and camouflage pants.
- One pant leg pushed or rolled up and the other pant leg left down.
- Rolled-down waistband.
Shoes or Sandals——Must be worn at all times. The following are not permitted:
- Athletic or shower-type slip-ons.
- Flat rubber/plastic thong flip-flops (thong component must be fabric or leather).
- Slippers (unless for temporary medical conditions).
- Heavy boots, including military, combat, construction, or cowboy boots.
- “Heelies” (shoes with retractable wheels).
Sunglasses——May not be worn inside of any building on campus.
Whenever possible, tattoos must be covered by clothing. If the required or expected dress for an event makes that impossible (e.g., a sports contest or practice uniform that does not cover the tattoo; a P.E. uniform that does not cover the tattoo; a swimsuit that does not cover the tattoo; a formal gown that does not cover the tattoo), the tattoo must be covered by the student with as discrete a bandage as is possible. If the student has a tattoo that is too large to be covered in a discrete manner, or if the student has failed to cover the tattoo in a discrete manner, the student will be excluded from the event. The Dean, AMHS teachers, and/or moderators of extracurricular programs will determine if a tattoo has been covered discretely.
Assisting with Freshman Orientation, Open House, and Freshman Welcome Night
Directives provided by program directors.
Athletic Attire: This is acceptable, so long as modesty is maintained.
Body & Face Painting: This is permitted, so long as it is consistent with spirit generation for the contest. However, no student may remove his/her shirt. Messages that denigrate anyone (e.g., the opponent) are not permitted; this also applies to clothing with a message.
Caps & Hats: Caps and sweatshirt hoods are permitted.
Dresses, Skirts, Shirts & Blouses: No spaghetti straps (tank tops must cover shoulder), bare midriff, or low-cut tops. Skirts may not be shorter than six inches from the middle of the knees. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Hair: Hair may be temporarily artificially colored, so long as it is consistent with spirit generation for the contest (e.g., in school colors).
Pants & Shorts: Cut-offs and sweatpants are allowed, so long as modesty is maintained. Swim suits, short-shorts (shorter than six inches from the middle of the knee), and excessively baggy pants are not allowed.
Shoes/Sandals: Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times.
Sunglasses: Permitted.
Tattoos: Visible tattoos are not permitted.
Please go to this page for all dance attire guidelines.
Field Trips & Sophomore Day of Service
Permitted: hats. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Liturgical Events, Awards Ceremonies, & Performing Arts Events
Spaghetti straps are permitted. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Permitted: tank tops that cover the shoulder (no spaghetti straps), sweats/warm-ups, hats, athletic sandals, thongs, boots; artificially-colored hair in class or school colors; body and face-painting consistent with spirit generation; clothing messages that do not denigrate anyone or have inappropriate innuendo. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Permitted: tank tops (no spaghetti straps), sweats/warm-ups, hats, athletic sandals, thongs, boots. Rest of dress code remains in effect.
Awards Night: Spaghetti straps are permitted. Remainder of dress code is in effect. Award recipients should dress in semi-formal attire: young men wear ties; young women should dress in correspondingly semi-formal attire.
Baccalaureate Mass: Graduation gown (no cap) is required. Kairos crosses are encouraged.
Young men are to dress in semi-formal attire, with long pants (no shorts), a collared shirt and tie beneath the graduation gown, and dress shoes. No athletic shoes or thong sandals permitted. Young women should dress in correspondingly semi-formal attire (spaghetti straps are permitted). No athletic shoes or thong sandals permitted. Sunglasses are permitted. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Graduation: Graduation cap and gown required. Kairos crosses and NHS/CSF stoles are encouraged. No other additions may be made to the graduation gown (flowers may be worn after the ceremony has ended).Young men are to dress in semi-formal attire, with long pants (no shorts) and a collared shirt and tie beneath the graduation gown, and dress shoes. No athletic shoes or thong sandals are permitted. Young women should dress in correspondingly semi-formal attire (spaghetti straps are permitted). No athletic shoes or thong sandals are permitted. Sunglasses are permitted while graduates are seated in the stadium. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Graduation Practice: Sunglasses and hats are recommended. Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Senior Cruise: Dress casually and bring warm clothing (sweats/warm-ups, hats are recommended). Remainder of dress code is in effect.
Senior Dinner: Young men should wear nice pants and a collared shirt. Young women should dress in corresponding “dress up” attire (spaghetti straps are permitted). Remainder of dress code is in effect.
