Uniform Guidelines

CHANGES FOR 2023–2024

The school began a process in the 2022/2023 school year to reduce the color options in order to arrive at a more uniform color palette that is in keeping with the school’s identity.

In the 2023/2024 school year, the school will further the process by

• Removing the gray heather color for sale for K4–6th grade and discontinuing its use in these grade levels altogether in 2024/2025. Starting in 2024/2025, the K4–6th grade options will be navy, white, and red.
• Removing the cobalt/royal and red options for sale for 7th–8th grade and discontinuing their use in these grade levels altogether in 2024/2025. Starting in the 2024/2025 school year, the 7th–8th grade options will be navy, white, and light blue.
• Removing the red option for sale for 9th–12th grade and discontinuing their use in these grade levels altogether in 2024/2025. Starting in the 2024/2025 school year, the 9th–12th grade options will be navy, white, and gray.

GENERAL UNIFORM GUIDELINES

• Students must dress in accordance with their biological sex.
• Uniforms, sized appropriately for the wearer, must appear clean and be free of tears and holes upon arrival at school.
• Skirt, skort, and optional-day dress lengths should be fingertip length or longer.
• In order to maintain consistency of color and style, all uniform items except socks, tights, belts, and shoes must be purchased from TGS uniform suppliers or our used-uniform store. The school’s uniform suppliers are Lands’ End and Tommy Hilfiger. Refer to the Uniform Suppliers page on the school’s website for information on how to order.
• Unless stated otherwise by the program directors (lower school K4–2nd, lower school 3rd–6th, or upper school), students are required to be in the proper uniform for that day (i.e., regular or chapel uniform). On occasions such as spirit days or for events such as field trips, modified uniform guidelines will be communicated.
• Uniform items should be labeled with the student’s name. Items left unclaimed at the end of each day will be placed in lost and found in your child’s building. Items remaining in lost and found are donated to Geneva’s used-uniform store or given to charity at the end of each quarter.
• The program directors (lower school K4–2nd, lower school 3rd–6th) and the dean of students (7th–12th) are the final arbiters of whether a student is in compliance with the dress code.

GUIDELINES FOR NON-CLOTHING ITEMS (HAIR, ACCESSORIES, ETC)

• Students’ hair must be neat, clean, and groomed so their eyes and face are visible at all times.
• If a student’s hair is dyed, it must be a natural color.
• Students are not allowed extreme styles such as Mohawks or designs shaved into the hair.
• Boys are not allowed ponytails or buns, and the hair must be above the collar.
• Girls may wear earrings but may not have any other visible piercings.
• Girls may wear jewelry (necklace, bracelet, watch, etc.) as long as it is simple, appropriate to the overall dress, and not distracting or excessive.
• Boys must be clean shaven and may not have earrings or other piercings.
• Makeup (if worn and only permitted for girls) should be simple and tasteful.
• Girls may wear flat headbands, bows, and ribbons.
• Hats are not permitted in classrooms or in buildings on campus while school is in session.
• Students may wear watches as long as they do not make any noises. SMART watches are not allowed during school hours.
• Visible tattoos are not permitted.

UNIFORM CODE VIOLATIONS

There will be times when students fail to follow the uniform guidelines. When these occur, the school is here to help get the student back on track through a gentle reminder to the first-time offender, a rebuke for the perpetually forgetful, or a firm reprimand to the willfully disobedient. How this is carried out at different grade levels is explained below. In each action, we expect the student to take ownership of his or her behavior and return the next day in compliance with the guidelines.

Common ways in which students fail to conform to the guidelines include the following:

• Boys: Keeping their Oxford shirts tucked in; forgetting either a belt or tie or both; hair length; shaving
• Girls: Improper hair accessories or jewelry; Skirt, skort, or optional-day dress lengths shorter than fingertip length
• Both: Improper shoes; improper sweater or fleece

If a student in K4–6th grade comes to school out of uniform, the teacher and/or directors for the lower school will address the situation on a case-by-case basis. Options for remediation include forgiving the infraction if it is the first time, providing the student with the correct uniform piece from the school’s used-uniform store, or contacting the parent to bring the correct uniform items to the school.

If a student in 7th–12th grade comes to school out of uniform, then the student will be directed to the dean of students for a “red card” (students carry it with them so that they don’t get dinged for the same offense more than once on the same day) and for their consequences. These may include ignoring the infraction if it is the first time or having the student contact the parent to have the appropriate article brought to school as soon as possible. The uniform infraction will be entered into FACTS by a school administrator. Repeated uniform code violations will result in demerits and, when enough accrue, detentions.

It is important to note that a student who continually and willfully ignores or fights against the school’s uniform guidelines is indicating he or she does not want to attend Geneva. Such actions warrant a hard but necessary conversation between school administration and the student and parents.