The WMCA Uniform and Dress Code Policy has been designed to benefit our students and help us better achieve our mission in three primary ways.
To Foster a Unity of Believers: Over time, school uniforms will help temper the material prejudice evident in a school community by helping us to look past the outward appearance, and encourage us to better appreciate others for who they are, not what they wear. “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) By reducing material distinctions of a passing nature, the distinctions of truth and opinion can be heard more clearly.
To Encourage a Unity of Purpose: School uniforms will demonstrate a unity of purpose, for the same reasons as those in professional organizations and those on athletic teams. Our prayer is that uniforms will help to release students from the pressures of superficial cultural standards, allowing them to grow in their ability to pursue wisdom and virtue.
To Provide a Greater Clarity of Expectations and Increased Focus in the Classroom: By simplifying our expectations for student dress, the need for enforcement and discipline will be lessened, thus improving the focus of instruction for students and teachers.
General Guidelines
Clothing must be in good repair. Finished hemlines are required. They should not have any rips, frays, cuts, or raw edges.
Undergarments may not be visible at any time, at any WMCA event on or off campus.
Shorts/Skorts/Skirts are not to be rolled up in any way.
Alterations to any clothing items must be approved by Headmaster.
Tops
A WMCA logoed collared polo shirt, either short or long-sleeved, must be worn Mondays through Thursdays but is optional when approved spirit wear is permitted. Previously purchased WMCA logoed polo shirts are allowed.
Uniform polo shirts must be purchased through One 45 Designs.
All shirts must be large enough in cut to cover from the neck to below the waistband whether the student is sitting, standing, or walking through the halls with a backpack.
T-shirts or any other shirt may not be worn over the daily uniform shirt.
Pants
Pants approved color is Khaki.
Khaki Dockers-type or cargos are acceptable.
Ladies may wear Capris.
Pants may not be oversized, baggy, or too tight.
Must be always worn at waist height.
Leggings or tight-fitting stretch pants may only be worn under a skirt/skort/Jumper, not as pants
Pants/Khakis for both Ladies and Gentlemen, may be of any brand.
Shorts
Shorts approved color is Khaki.
Shorts must be mid-thigh in length or longer, not to exceed the bend of the knee, and must be worn at the waist.
Shorts must fit properly, not overly baggy, or too tight.
No Spandex/bike, athletic, or sweat shorts are allowed.
Shorts for both Ladies and Gentlemen, may be of any brand.
Skirts/Skorts/Jumpers
Skirts/Skorts/Jumpers approved color is khaki, burgundy/crimson, and plaid. The plaid must incorporate colors of burgundy/crimson, gray and gold or white only.
Approved length of all skirts/skorts/Jumpers must be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.
Leggings or tight-fitting stretch pants may only be worn under skirts/skorts/Jumpers in the approved colors – burgundy/crimson, white and gray.
Skirts and Jumper are to be worn with black or gray spandex or bike shorts, fingertip in length.
Fish net stockings are not allowed.
Sweatshirts/Zip-Ups/Pullovers/Hoodies
WMCA-approved sweatshirts, zip-ups, pullovers, and hoodies, must display an official WMCA logo. Certain hoodies and pullovers purchased as part of WMCA-sanctioned trips, events, and athletic events are also approved to wear daily.
WMCA-approved sweatshirts, zip-ups, pullovers, and hoodies must be worn over the collared polo shirt that displays the official WMCA logo.
Sweatshirts/Zip-Ups/Pullovers/Hoodies displaying a WMCA logo must be purchased through the WMCA Spirit Store. These types of clothing items may or may not be available for purchase at any given time.
Hoods of sweatshirts may not be worn up over head during classroom settings.
Physical Educations Uniform
Physical Education uniforms are required for grades 5th through 8th
A complete change from school uniform clothing is required. No school uniform clothing may be worn over or under physical education clothes.
Each student is required to wear sneakers (secured), socks, an official WMCA P.E. Shirt, and official WMCA P.E. shorts or active pants.
All P.E. shirts must be large enough in cut to cover from the neck to below the waistband whether the student is sitting, standing, or participating actively.
Official colder weather WMCA P.E. attire may be worn. P.E. hoodies or pullovers, joggers, or sweatpants may not be oversized, baggy, or too tight. Additional information to come.
Official WMCA P.E. attire must be purchased through the WMCA Spirit Store.
Ladies are required to wear black or gray spandex or biker shorts fingertip in length under the required uniform P.E. shorts. May be any brand.
Athletic shoes are required. Flip flops, ballet flats, dress shoes, slides, and boots are examples of footwear that are not appropriate for physical education and can result in an injury.
P.E. uniforms should be kept clean and in good condition. They will be treated just like schoolbooks; students will have to plan ahead and make sure they have their P.E. uniform.
Students who fail to change for physical education are subject to an Unsatisfactory in work habits. Continual refusal to dress properly for class may result in a failing grade for physical education.
Coats/Jackets
Coats and jackets with full zippers or buttons may be worn during the colder months but must be worn over a WMCA polo shirt. Full-zip or full-button coats or jackets must not have inappropriate logos nor logos larger than the student’s fist.
Spirit Wear/Casual Day
Blue denim jean pants are allowed on approved spirit or casual days, with an approved WMCA spirit wear top or polo. Not allowed: Colors other than blue denim, Jean shorts, holes, rips, or frays on the jeans. Finished hemline only.
Spirit Wear shirts may be purchased through our spirit store. Shirts acquired through WMCA clubs, athletics, or school activities may be worn on Spirit or Casual Day as well.
Miscellaneous
Sock of neutral colors with no designs or images are allowed.
Girls should wear jewelry and make-up in moderation.
Boys are not allowed to wear makeup or paint their nails.
Facial piercings, and/or earplugs are not allowed.
Girls may wear earrings.
Boys may not wear earrings or nose piercings.
Tattoos (permanent or otherwise) must not be visible.
Shoes are required to be worn at all times. House shoes and slippers and open toed/sandals are not allowed.
Hair that is unusually styled or dyed an unnatural color is not allowed.
Boys hair must be neatly groomed, no longer than collar length; no ponytails and/or buns are allowed. The hair must also remain out of the eyes. When it becomes necessary to notify a gentleman to cut his hair, he must comply before returning to school.
Boys must be clean-shaven. Mustaches and beards are not allowed. Sideburns must not extend below the bottom of the ear lobe.
Hats, Caps, and Sunglasses
Hats, caps, and sunglasses are not to be worn in buildings during school hours.
Hats, caps, and sunglasses may be worn outside during after school sport activities or special outdoor events only, that will be announced. Prior approval for these days will be given by the Headmaster. Guidelines for dress code will then be established and communicated to the students and parents.
Spirit Days, Game Days, and Special Events
Several special event days are planned throughout the school year which allow for students to dress in costumes (e.g. spirit week). With prior approval by the Headmaster, athletic wear or spirit wear may be worn for spirit, or game days. Prior approval for these days will be given by the Headmaster. Guidelines for dress code will then be established and communicated to the students and parents.
Chapel Day/Formal Events
Chapel day and some WMCA events will require students to be dressed in appropriate uniform or formal attire to be admitted. Dress Code Guidelines will be approved by the Headmaster and communicated before the specific event.
Disciplinary Procedure for Infractions
When a student is observed by a staff member to be out of compliance with the uniform/dress code, he/she will be sent to the office or asked to return home so they can change (if before 8:10 AM). Before returning to class, the student must change or correct what caused him/her to be out of compliance with the dress code.
The following discipline policy for dress code infractions is based on the number of infractions in a given semester:
1st Infraction in a given semester: Student changes or takes care of compliance issue.
2nd Infraction in a given semester: Student changes or takes care of compliance issue and receives a 1-hour detention.
3rd Infraction in a given semester: Student changes or takes care of compliance issue and receives a 4-hour detention.
4th Infraction in a given semester: Student changes or takes care of compliance issue and is suspended from school. Upon returning, the student and his/her parents may need to meet with the Headmaster.
As a Christian institution, we believe it is vitally important for our students to learn how to apply God’s Word to every area of life. We believe the focus should be on teaching principles that apply in dress code and grooming issues. The goal is to enable students to dress in a spirit or attitude that reflects the values of Jesus.
2.0 POLICY
The principles from God’s Word that we believe should govern our dress and grooming.
2.1 Students should honor the Lord and their parents in their dress grooming (I Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 6:1-3).
2.2 Students should dress and groom in a modest way (I Timothy 2:9, Romans 14:13-15). 2.3 Students should dress and groom in a manner that focuses on learning and being a student. This means a student should dress in a manner that is appropriate to what they are doing, just as an athlete wears a uniform for a particular sport (II Timothy 2:4-5). 2.4 Students should dress and groom in a gender appropriate manner (I Corinthians 11:14).
2.5 Students should not be trying to focus attention on themselves by their dress or grooming. Nor should students dress or groom in a manner that would be a hindrance to the work of the Gospel.
2.6 Students should not dress or groom in a manner that would be a stumbling block to others. Literally students should not dress in a way that would cause another student to disobey God (Romans 14:13).
2.7 Students should be humble and teachable in their dress and grooming (James 4:6).
3.0 GENERAL
3.1 Standards for boys and girls
3.1.1 Clothing must be neat, clean, in good repair, and appropriately sized. Clothing articles with holes, rips, or tears may not be worn.
3.1.2 Hats may not be worn in the building by students (2.3).
3.1.3 Footwear must be worn at all times (2.3).
3.1.4 Unnaturally colored hair (blue, green, etc.) is not acceptable except for spirit week (2.2).
3.1.5 Visible tattoos may not be worn (2.5).
3.1.6 Emblems or jewelry with new age or occult symbols, punk or rock slogans that are secular, worldly, or carnal may not be worn (2.1). No body piercing is allowed (2.3).
3.1.7 There is to be no undergarment-type clothing showing, such as bras, sports bras, boxers, or long underwear.
3.1.8 Shorts must be no shorter than fingertips hanging at your side. Athletic shorts are not approved shorts for classroom instruction. Volleyball/Compression shorts may not be worn outside of practice and competition and must meet proper length for shorts (2.1). 3.1.9 Sweatpants and joggers are only allowed on specified days by the Athletic Director (2.1).
3.1.10 Outerwear constituting jackets, sweatshirts, fleeces and equivalents may be worn to and from school or when outside during the school day. If logos are worn, they should not endorse alcohol, violence or any other sinful activity. Vests or knitted sweaters may be worn during class time as a part of appropriate instructional attire. If a garment is in possession of a hood that hood will not be worn covering the head while inside the building.
3.2 Standards specifically for girls.
3.2.1 Blue jeans or khakis may be worn but there may not be any skin showing between pants and the top (2.2).
3.2.2 A collared button down shirt, polo, placard shirt, or blouse will be worn. A placard shirt is a “henley” style garment, with no printed graphics, consisting of at least three buttons. If logos are worn, they should not endorse alcohol, violence or any other sinful activity. A “blouse” is any stylish top as commonly understood by the Godly female faculty of WMCA. A blouse is not a tank top in any form. If a blouse or dress has a sleeveless effect it must be wider than a credit card going over the shoulder.
3.2.3 Dresses and skirts must be no shorter than the kneecap. If the outfit has a slit, it must be modest and no higher than the knee. Compression shorts will be worn under all dresses and skirts. Necklines must be modest (no cleavage). Blouses, skirts, or dresses that can be seen through may not be worn (2.2).
3.2.4 Girls may wear a total of 4 earrings. No nose or lip piercings may be worn (2.3, 2.5). 3.2.5 Banquet dress length must comply with the school dress code and the neckline must be modest (2.2).
3.2.6 When allowable to be worn leggings, tights, yoga pants, athletics pants, and compression pants require front and back coverage down to the fingertips hanging at your side.
3.2.7 Shoes should be sensible and allow normal movement from one class to the next, ie: no high heels. Sandals are acceptable, flip flops and slides are not. Crocs or equivalent style shoes are not appropriate for instructional attire. If socks have logos, they should not endorse alcohol, violence or any other sinful activity.
3.3 Standards specifically for boys
3.3.1 Piercings and necklaces (chains) may not be worn (2.5, 2.6).
3.3.2 Hair must be neatly groomed (2.4). Male students will shave as is necessary, no facial hair is permitted.
3.3.3 Shirts for boys will be button down collared, polo, or placard. A placard shirt is a “henley” style garment, with no printed graphics, consisting of at least three buttons. If logos are worn, they should not endorse alcohol, violence or any other sinful activity.
3.3.4 Shoes should be sensible and allow normal movement from one class to the next. Sandals are acceptable, flip flops and slides are not. Crocs or equivalent style shoes are not appropriate for instructional attire. If socks have logos, they should not endorse alcohol, violence or any other sinful activity.
3.4 Standards for P.E. and Sports Practices
3.4.1 T-shirts, tank tops, and athletic shorts or pants are to be worn. Shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh. Gym or sport appropriate shoes must be worn. Specified WMCA P.E. uniforms will be worn during P.E. and should be clean daily (2.2, 2.3).
3.5 Please note: If your student is not appropriately dressed for school, parents will be contacted and asked to bring appropriate clothing to the school for the student.
3.6 Student visitors need to be in dress code when they come to our campus.
4.0 Chapel Dress
4.1 Standards for boys.
4.1.1 No shorts of any kind may be worn during chapel unless directed ie: (Spirit Week). 4.1.2 Long pants in good repair will be worn (jeans are ok, joggers and sweats are not). 4.1.3 Collared button down shirt will be worn and tucked in with a belt. If logos are worn, they should not endorse alcohol, violence or any other sinful activity.
4.2 Standards for girls
4.2.1 No shorts of any kind may be worn during chapel unless directed ie: (Spirit Week). 4.2.2 Long pants in good repair will be worn (jeans are ok, no joggers, leggings and sweats).
4.2.3 An appropriate shirt or blouse may be worn. Dresses/skirts must meet standards (3.2.3).
4.2.4 Girls should endeavor to dress more professionally than usual on Chapel Day (2.5).
