Mary E. Phillips High School Structured Dress Code
This year the halls of Mary E. Phillips continue to set the trend in clothing . As the students shuffle to their next class, the change is noticeable: shirts are tucked in, midriffs are covered, and there is not a skullcap to be seen. The students are adhering to a dress code implemented at the beginning of 1999. The dress code has gone into effect after much discussion by all concerned parties, faculty, parents, and students. The overall goal of the dress code is to improve each student's educational experience. According to a study done by the American School Health Association Journal of School Health, dress codes decrease class disruption, increase attendance, and provide a feeling of unity among the students. The study also states a dramatic decrease in school violence is directly related to a structured dress code, although this historically has not been a problem at Mary E. Phillips.
The school began to discuss the possibility of a dress code in the spring of 1998. A Dress Code Action Team was established to research the outcomes of implementations of uniform policies and dress codes in other schools. The action team found enough data that supported the use of dress codes in schools to present their findings to the rest of the staff, students, and families of Mary E. Phillips. Each group was surveyed to gauge their interest in a dress code, and it received the approval of more than half of the student body. The students decided on the colors of the dress code and a school logo contest was conducted. Letters were sent out to notify the families of returning and incoming students of the impending changes for the new school year. Since Mary E. Phillips is a school of choice, the students uncomfortable with the new school requirement have the option of attending their base school.
Students now dress in khaki pants and white or black shirts .
See the outline of the Structured Dress Code.
This page last updated on 08/09/04.