Dress for Excellence

The Chesterton Academy of St. Joseph dress code supports the school’s purpose of forming morally serious persons. Our uniform provides the students and local communities with an appearance that encourages and represents school identity, school spirit, unity, discipline, as well as a gold standard for an academic and professional look, the origins of which are classic and traditional. It promotes the values inherent in our school’s mission and allows our students to be recognized as members of the academy. Students must wear their uniform in a respectful manner, mindful that they are seen as representatives of the school and leaders in an academic environment. Learning to maintain a neat, professional appearance is part of a student’s education. Students should thus be in uniform at all times while on school grounds, unless participating in a school sponsored after school activity with permission to change. Students must arrive and leave school in full uniform, including blazer.

Modesty, cleanliness, and formality will be the primary guides in all matters of the required uniform.  Students will be expected to present themselves in a way that reflects their great dignity, the dignity of their vocation as students, and the seriousness of our collective task.  Therefore, they will wear the Chesterton Academy of The Holy Family uniform in a modest and neat way, avoiding all manner of ostentation. The uniforms must be clean and in good condition with no rips, holes or stains.

It is the responsibility of both the parents and the student to know and abide by the school dress code standards and uniform expectations. Please make sure you are familiar with what is required and help your son or daughter to comply. When parents enroll their children in the school, it is with the understanding that the uniform code, along with other school expectations, regulations, and policies, will be followed. Uniforms are just that -- uniforms. They are not intended to reflect the fashion trends of the moment. The uniform policy pertains not only to clothing but also to accessories, jewelry, hair and like items. No article of clothing that is not part of the uniform (e.g. sweater, vest, sweatshirt, hooded sweatshirt, overcoat, raincoat, poncho, hat, etc.) may be worn in school.

Blazers, shirts, sweaters, trousers, skirts, ties and belts, label with the student's name (e.g. John Smith or Smith). The label should be placed on the inside collar of the blazer, shirt and sweater, on the inside of the trousers and skirts and on the back of the tie and belt. This simple expedient will save much money and anguish.

We are aware that often you can buy similar items at other places. Often, however, these reduced priced items do not wear as well, last as long, or look as neat as our uniform items. Therefore, we request that you purchase all the required items through Schoolbelles only.  This will streamline the process and help us maintain the highest standards of uniformity in the dress code during the ENTIRE school year.

Out of Uniform Expectations

On special occasions, we will invite students to attend school or school-sponsored events (e.g., dances, field trips, retreats, etc.) out of their uniforms. If students choose to attend an out-of-uniform event in their uniforms, they must meet all standards of being fully in uniform (e.g., shirt tucked in, modest accessories, proper shoes, correct sweater/blazer/apparel, etc.).

The out-of-uniform expectations are event-specific and will be announced before each event. However, they will include at all times:

• No ripped or dirty clothing.

• No overly revealing clothing: this refers to factors including but not limited to cut-outs in clothing (e.g., shoulder or midriff cutouts), overly tight clothing (any leggings), no shorts for girls, and no short skirts (that hit above the knee).

• No text or imagery that does not align with our mission.

If at any time during the school year these policies need to be changed, parents and students will be informed. Please be aware that the final interpretation of dress policies resides with the executive director and headmaster.

Gentlemen should likewise aim for a simplicity that is appropriate for these years. Uniforms should always be clean and shirts always tucked in. Additionally:

•  Only solid white tee shirts may be worn under the white oxford. No wording or pictures on the tee shirt should be visible.

• Simple chains and medals should be tucked under the shirt. No visible piercings or tattoos are allowed.

• One bracelet and one watch may be worn. (No smart watches allowed. Fitbits are permitted, but text notifications must be off).

• Gentlemen’s hair should be neatly groomed and clean at all times, with no highlights or dyeing. Hair must be trimmed above the eyebrows, ears, and collar. No extreme haircuts.

• All young men should be clean-shaven with sideburns not extending beyond the middle of the ear. Facial hair is not permitted.

• One lapel pin may be worn so long as it is in line with our mission.

• Gentlemen may not wear cologne.

• No head gear may be worn inside the building (winter hats, baseball caps, etc.).

Note: Chesterton Academy’s uniform vendors are Schoolbelles.  Uniforms may be purchased online at www.schoolbelles.com.

Hair and Accessories

• Hair should be above the shirt collar.

• All young men should be clean-shaven. No sideburns.

• No earrings. No gauges. Simple chains and medals should be tucked under the shirt.

• No visible piercings.