A Note To Parents

  2009-2010 Student-Parent Handbook (PDF)

Aiken Prep requests that parents consider the student dress code in determining their own wardrobe when they accompany their children or attend school events on- or off-campus. The school appreciates parental commitment to setting a good example about appropriate dress and behavior at all times.

Formal Uniform (not required for students in 3K):

All students except those in 3K are required to wear the Aiken Prep formal uniform on the following days:

• All Fridays, unless indicated on the school calendar. (Consult the Calendar for verification.)
• Some field trips and competitions. (Consult the Field Trip Permission form for each event’s dress code.)
• Some performances and special events. (These may include musical performances, the Declamation Contest, Award’s Night, graduation, etc. Students will be notified in advance or information will be posted on the school calendar)

The Aiken Prep formal uniform consists of:

All students:

• Dark green blazer with school logo; blazer should be clean and in good repair, including having all buttons. Students are expected to wear the blazer in all public areas of the school during the day.
• White long- or short-sleeved dress shirt with Oxford-style collar; shirts must be tucked in. (Girls in 4K-grade 5 may wear round collared shirts.)

Boys Only:

• School tie. (Boys in 4K-grade 2 may remove their ties after assembly.)
• Tailored khaki slacks (chino or twill gabardine), pleated- or flat-front.
• Black or brown leather belt with a standard-sized buckle. (Boys in 4K and 5K are not required to wear belts.)
• Black or brown leather dress shoes or taupe buck shoes with dark soles.
• Dark socks that cover the ankle.

Girls Only:

• Blackwatch plaid skirt, skort, or jumper
  • 4K and 5K pocket jumper.
  • Grades 1-3 drop-waist jumper.
  • Grades 4-5 skort or drop-waist jumper.
  • Grades 6-12 kilt, skort, or kick-pleat skirt.
• Dress shoes
  • 4K-grade 3 Mary Jane-style black shoes.
  • Grades 4-5 Polished brown or black leather flat dress shoes.
  • Grades 6-12 Brown or black leather dress shoes; a wide heel up to 2 inches is acceptable.
• Socks, tights, stockings
  • 4K-grade 3 Dark green or white ankle or knee socks; dark green, navy, or white tights.
  • Grades 4-5 Dark green or white ankle or knee socks; dark green, navy, or white tights; neutral stockings.
  • Grades 6-12 Dark green knee socks or tights; neutral or black stockings.

Daily Uniform for Grades 3K through 11:

Students in grades 3K through 11 must wear the Aiken Prep daily uniform on school days that are not designated as formal uniform days, except as indicated below:

• Some field trips and competitions. (Consult the Field Trip Permission form for each event's dress code.)
• Some performances and special events. (These may include field days, Gold Bars, Spirit Week, etc. Students will be notified in advance or information will be posted on the school calendar).
• Dress-down days for individual students, classes, or divisions. (Students will be notified in advance or information will be posted on the school calendar).
• Also refer to the section on Athletic Jerseys below.

The Aiken Prep daily uniform consists of:
All students:

• All items listed as acceptable for formal uniform may be worn as daily uniform.
• In addition, students may choose to wear any of the following:
  • Dark green or white polo shirts with school logo; shirts must be tucked in. Students may wear long- or short-sleeved undershirts, or tank tops under the uniform polo; however, these must be white with no visible logos.
  • Plain dark green or white turtlenecks; shirts must be tucked in.
  • Dark green cardigans or crew neck sweaters; Aiken Prep fleeces, or Aiken Prep sweatshirts. (Approved colors are dark green, navy, black, or gray.)
  • Tailored khaki slacks or knee-length shorts (chino or twill gabardine), pleated- or flat-front.
  • Belts appropriate to the uniform with a normal size buckle. Belts must be worn if the slacks, shorts, Capris, shorts, or skirts have belt loops. (Students in 3K, 4K and 5K are not required to wear belts.)
  • Simple, appropriate sneakers or athletic shoes. If the shoes have laces, they must be appropriately and securely tied.

Boys only:

• White socks.

Girls only:

• Tailored khaki Capri pants (chino or twill gabardine).
• Khaki skorts or khaki skirts without slits.
• Girls in grades 6-11 may wear ballet flats without socks or stockings.

Daily Dress for Grade 12:

On school days that are not designated as formal uniform days, seniors may choose to wear the Aiken Prep formal or daily uniform as detailed above. However, they may also elect to follow the dress code below. Seniors are required to avoid items on the list of clothing styles that may NOT be worn.
Senior boys:

• Tailored dress slacks or knee-length shorts.
• Polo shirts or collared dress shirts in any color or appropriate pattern; shirts must be tucked in; any logos must be discreet and appropriate.

Senior girls:

• Tailored dress slacks, Capris, or knee-length shorts;
• Polo shirts, collared or uncollared dress shirts, or form-fitting dress blouses in any color or appropriate pattern; shirts must be tucked in; any logos must be discreet and appropriate.
• Skirts or dresses in any color or appropriate pattern.

Seniors may NOT wear:
Jeans, army or camouflage, cargo, or surgical pants; fleece, velour, satin, or cotton yoga pants; sweatpants or sweatshirts (except Aiken Prep sweatshirts), athletic clothing, tank tops, halter tops, tube tops, bathing suits; pajamas or visible undergarments; boots, flip-flops, clogs, Crocs, or sandals.

PE Uniform for Grades 1 through 12:

Students who are enrolled in PE are required to wear PE uniforms, as indicated below:
Grades 1-5:

• Aiken Prep shorts, Aiken Prep T-shirt, Aiken Prep sweats; sneakers and socks.

Grades 6-12:

• Shorts (Aiken Prep, black, dark green, or gray).
• Aiken Prep T-shirt, Aiken Prep sweats; sneakers and socks.
• Athletic team practice wear may also be acceptable for PE; consult the PE teacher.

Aiken Prep Team Jerseys:

Members of Aiken Prep athletic teams may wear their jerseys to class on game days. If a game falls on a formal uniform day, athletes may wear their jerseys after lunch. If a game falls on a Saturday, athletes may wear their jerseys on the Friday before the game.

Dress Code Violations

Aiken Prep requires that all students maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and a neat appearance at all times. Students are expected to show good judgment and good taste in their school-wear choices. The listing below is intended to guide the students in acquiring a sense of responsibility for the image they present. It is not all-inclusive; as fads arise, the school will address any new concerns that might interfere with or distract from the education process. Aiken Prep appreciates parents who support the school’s uniform code. The Dean of Students is the final authority for the school in matters regarding uniform and appearance.

Violations of the Aiken Prep Uniform Code include, but are not limited to:

• Having tattoos or excessive body piercing (such as eyebrows, tongues, or noses).
• Wearing excessive make-up or jewelry. Boys may not wear earrings and must be clean shaven.
• Dying the hair in unusual colors or fashions; cutting or styling the hair in unusual fashions such as Mohawks. Boy’s hair may not touch the collar and may not cover the eyebrows; they may not have rat-tails or pony tails.
• Having the shirttail untucked.
• Wearing outerwear (other than Aiken Prep blazers, sweaters, fleeces, or sweatshirts) in the classroom.
• Wearing denim of any color or style.
• Wearing hip-huggers, jeans, cut-offs, or low-rise pants; parachute, carpenter, or cargo pants or shorts; jean-style pants or shorts (including five-pocket style).
• Wearing slacks that are rolled up; wearing slacks, shorts, Capris, skirts, or skorts with the waistband rolled down.
• Wearing slacks or shorts that are excessively long or excessively short.
• Wearing jumpers, skorts, or skirts that are too short. (Length should be between fingertips and the middle of the knee.)
• Wearing excessively large or excessively tight clothing.
• Wearing torn, frayed, or unhemmed clothing. (Stapling, taping, or pinning hems is unacceptable.)
• Wearing athletic or dress shoes without socks, tights, or stockings, except as allowed in the daily uniform code.
• Wearing athletic shoes with action figures or inappropriate decoration.
• Wearing open-toe or open-back shoes; wearing spike or stiletto heels; wearing sandals, deck shoes, Tivas, Crocs, or platform shoes.
• Wearing hats, hoods, or other head coverings inside buildings without special permission.
• Wearing sunglasses inside buildings.
• Wearing undershirts in colors or with designs that are visible through the uniform shirt.
• Failing to wear the appropriate uniform on a formal uniform day; removing ties or blazers without permission on a formal uniform day.

Consequences for Uniform Code Violations:

3K-grade 5:

• First Offense: A written warning will be sent home for signature.
• Second Offense: The parent will be called; if the problem cannot be corrected, the student will lose recess for that day.
• Third Offense: The parent will be called and the student will lose recess for that day.

Grades 6-12:

• Please refer to “Code of Conduct and Discipline Policies” in the 2009-2010 Student-Parent Handbook

Uniform Vendors