Upper School Parent and Student Handbook 2021-2022

Darlington School maintains an official standard of dress, complete with a school uniform that must be worn every day. School uniforms avoid fashion fads, eliminating the self-consciousness and social competition which popular fashion tends to promote; reduce a family’s clothing expenditures; and ensure the simple attractiveness of the student body as a whole. The implementation of the Dress Code Policy is designed to encourage everyone to focus attention on what is inside a student rather than on outward appearance.

Students should be in uniform from their first school day commitment until the end of the school day, and their overall appearance should be neat, clean, well-groomed, and modest. Faculty members and advisors are expected to correct any uniform infractions and report repeated violators to the Student Life Office. School administrators make the final decision regarding the acceptability of attire not specifically covered in this Dress Code.

Faculty members can enter personal appearance violations on their class roster web page. Students who violate the hair policy will be given adequate time to become compliant. Students who violate the Dress Code may be restricted from attending class, meetings, the dining hall, or other school functions until the situation can be rectified. Personal appearance violations may result in one or more demerit(s). 

General Uniform and Appearance Guidelines
While on campus, the following rules are in effect:

• Required regulation Darlington School uniform items must be purchased from Uniform Source or Lands’ End. A limited number of uniform pieces will be available through the bookstore.
• Uniforms are required to be worn as the manufacturer intended. Oversized or undersized clothes are not in uniform.
• Skirts and skorts should be worn no higher than three inches above the crease in the back of the knee and may not be rolled up.
• Underwear may not be visible at any time.
• A student’s name should be clearly marked on all outerwear.
• Uniforms do not have to be worn on Spirit Days, but Dress Code guidelines, as specified in this handbook, must be followed.
• Uniforms are required to be in good repair. Under no circumstances is it appropriate for students to write on, cut up, or deface their uniforms in any way. This includes frayed or stapled hems and slit or frayed pant legs.
• Shirts and blouses must be tucked in at all times for both boys and girls; only the first button may be unbuttoned. A shirt is properly tucked in when the belt is visible.
• Only plain white short-sleeved or sleeveless undershirts may be worn.
• No hats, caps, or hair coverings are to be worn with uniforms during the school day unless for religious purposes.
• Students must bring athletic shoes and wear them during fitness period.
• Hooded sweatshirts that are uniform approved may be worn on all days except for days in which we are in chapel dress. 

Jewelry and Accessories

• Jewelry and accessories are acceptable as long as they are conservative and in keeping with the style and color of the uniform.
• Girls may wear earrings in the lobes of their ears as long as the style is not distracting.
• Boys may not wear earrings or ear studs of any kind.
• Girls may wear coordinating hair accessories.
• No body piercing, nose studs, nose rings, or tattoos may be visible during school day.

Coats and Jackets

• Any jacket or fleece that meets the following requirements may be worn during the school day.
• They must be purchased at either Lands’ End, Uniform Source, Darlington's bookstore, or through a Darlington athletic team.
• They must be primarily white, purple, gray or black in color.
• They must be embroidered or printed with the approved Darlington design or crest. 

Types of Dress 

Four types of dress days: Regular Uniform, Chapel Dress Day (Thursday and Special events), Spirit Day and Tiger Day.

Regular Uniform: This is any combination of regulation uniform pieces including khaki shorts, khaki pants, polo shirts, khaki or grey skirts (girls), gray sweater or sweater vest, and a regulation jacket.

Chapel Dress Day

Boys – Regulation khaki pants, white oxford shirt with school crest, school tie (seniors may wear the senior tie), navy blazer (Nov. 1 through March 31), and black or brown dress shoes. Only Darlington approved sweaters (not sweatshirts) may be worn under the navy blue blazers on cold days. Seniors will have the distinction of wearing the school crest on the pocket. The crest is available in the bookstore.

Girls – Regulation grey skirt or khaki pants; white oxford shirt with school crest; navy blazer (Nov. 1 through March 31); dress shoes only. Seniors will have the distinction of wearing the school crest on the pocket. The crest is available in the bookstore.

Spirit Day
Dress on this day will consist of a Darlington spirit T-shirt and uniform skirt, pant, or short.

Tiger Day
Dress on this day will consist of blue jeans or shorts (as defined by mid-thigh or longer), casual tops, and shoes of any type.

Clothing not acceptable on Tiger Day:

• Tank tops, spaghetti straps or strapless shirts or dresses; exposed sports bras
• Shirts with plunging necklines or that expose the midriff
• T-shirts with offensive language or reference to alcohol or drugs
• Clothing that is too tight-fitting
• Pajamas or other sleepwear
• Hats or caps in the building

Dining Hall Dress
Dress for the Dining Hall before and after the school day and for weekend meals should adhere to the following guidelines: 

• Shoes must be worn; no bare feet.
• Shirt and pants must be free of dirt and sweat.
• No hats allowed.
• No pajamas or other sleepwear.
• No tank tops, spaghetti straps or strapless shirts or dresses.
• No shirts with plunging necklines or that expose the midriff.
• Spandex and extremely short shorts are not to be worn.

Nights, Weekends, and School Sponsored Trips

Boarding students must dress appropriately when on campus and on school sponsored trips.  Duty teachers will, at their discretion, have final say in matters regarding appropriate attire for boarding students during these times.