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the bolles school

Dress Code

Students on the San Jose Campus are asked to dress in a way that creates a positive and focused environment for learning and reflects the mission of the School. If a student arrives on campus and is not in dress code, we will require the student to go to the Deans' Office to wait until someone can come to campus with an appropriate replacement. Dress code will continue to be monitored throughout the day, again, with the student being sent to the Deans' Office to wait until they have an appropriate replacement. If the student misses a class or classes as a result, the absence will be counted as unexcused. Please refer to the Student-Parent Handbook for information on what an unexcused absence entails.

Demerits as consequences for dress code violations will be assigned at one (1) demerit per incident. This policy has been updated to include that if a student reaches a total of five (5) dress code violations, further dress code violations will incur five (5) demerits per incident.

Prescribed Dress Code
Download a PDF of the Upper School Dress Code

The School reserves the right to make final decisions regarding attire/clothing choices as it relates to the mission of the School.

BOTTOMS:  Dress pants: with belt if have belt loops; Skirts: must be midi or maxi length. No short skirts are permitted. 
Not allowed: drawstring or pajama-style pants, shorts, yoga pants, cargo pants, leggings, tennis/running skorts, athletic clothing, short skirts and jeans. 

TOPS: Dress tops: short-sleeved or long-sleeved button-up Oxford-style shirts, short-sleeved or long-sleeved dress blouses. All shirts with a collar must be tucked in.
Not allowed: Hawaiian-style collars or print; oversized or long-tailed shirts.

SHOES: Athletic shoes, dress shoes, boat shoes, sandals with a back strap, rain boots and dress boots.
Not allowed: backless shoes (to include “lips” at the heel), slippers, slides, flip-flops, Crocs or other plastic/rubber/Foamrunner-style footwear or Ugg-style slippers.

OUTERWEAR:  Sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets or coats that are plain, have a college or university logo, or have a Bolles logo. Outerwear must be worn with a regulation dress shirt underneath. 

HAIR: Hair should be neat, well-kept and out of the eyes at all times.
Not permitted: radical hair colors or styles.

Also not permitted: 

  • Hats, caps or visors worn inside during the School day, unless with permission for religious reasons
  • Clothing with holes or frayed edges
  • Facial piercings, tattoos that are lewd, offensive or are a representation of illegal activity must be covered or otherwise not visible.
  • Facial hair, unless with permission for religious or medical reasons.

SPECIAL DRESS CODES

For each of the special dress codes, as with the daily dress code, the following are not permitted:

  • Hats, caps or visors worn inside during the School day, unless with permission for religious reasons
  • Clothing with holes or frayed edges
  • Facial piercings, tattoos that are lewd, offensive or are a representation of illegal activity must be covered or otherwise not visible.
  • Facial hair, unless with permission for religious or medical reasons.

FRIDAY DRESS CODE
Students follow the daily dress code as above, or they can wear:
Tops: Bolles collared shirt
Bottoms: Dress pants: with belt if have belt loops; skirts must be midi or maxi length. No short skirts are permitted

DESIGNATED SPIRIT DAY DRESS CODE
Students follow the daily dress code as above, or they can wear:

BOTTOMS: Students may wear jeans with no holes, rips, or frayed hems or follow the Daily Dress Code: Dress pants: with belt if have belt loops; dress skirts must be midi or maxi length. No short skirts are permitted

TOPS: Bolles collared shirt or Bolles t-shirt

FORMAL DRESS CODE

BOTTOMS:  Dress pants: with belt if have belt loops; dress skirts must be midi or maxi length. No short skirts are permitted
Not allowed: shorts, yoga pants, cargo pants, leggings, tennis/running skorts, athletic clothing and jeans

TOPS: Dress tops: short-sleeved or long-sleeved button-up Oxford-style shirts, short-sleeved or long-sleeved dress blouses. All shirts with a collar must be tucked in. Ties required for boys.
Not allowed: Hawaiian-style collars or print; oversized or long-tailed shirts.

Any questions about the above should be addressed with the Deans of Students. 

Students who are not dressed in accordance with the dress code will be referred to the Deans’ Office. Repeated disregard for the guidelines will result in increasing consequences.

A student’s first dress code infraction carries no penalty, each additional dress code infraction is one demerit. 

  • Official Warning: Warning recorded
  • 1st and 2nd demerit: Activities duty
  • 3rd demerit: Lunch duty
  • 4th demerit: After-school detention
  • 5th demerit: Saturday Workday
    *Parent and advisor will receive communication after the third infraction.

Continued violation of dress code infractions after the 5th violation will escalate to 5 demerits per infraction and discipline probation. Repeated behavior may be referred to the Discipline Committee.