Dress Code

Our school’s dress code is as follows:

For all ages :

School clothing must be without rips and tears, not excessively baggy or excessively tight. Pants must fit securely around the waist and the pant legs may not drag on the ground. Shirts must have sleeves that do not cover hands and must fit so that midriffs are thoroughly covered; no skin may be visible at the waist (even when arms are raised above heads).

Clothing should be warm enough, i.e., tights, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts. Socks and appropriate shoes or boots are necessary in the cooler months. Students go outside for two recesses every day, and the school’s policy is: Long pants and sleeves from October through March; specific dates will be announced (short sleeves are acceptable inside year round).

Jackets, hats, hoods and the like are required when the weather dictates them.

Outdoor clothing, including hats and hoods may not be worn in the classroom.

Shoes must be sturdy, comfortable and suitable for running. Shoes must fit snugly on the feet and be fastened with shoelaces, if they are of the lace-up variety. No light up shoes please.

No unrelieved black attire, neon, glittery, sequined, or camouflage fabrics.

Clothing is required to be without writing; no media characters, advertisements, caricatures, violence, or media figures on clothing or other school materials, i.e., lunch bags or backpacks. (see note under Grades Four through Eight)

Short mini skirts, short shorts, see-through clothes are not allowed. Tank tops must be 3 finger widths at the shoulder seam.

Underwear must not be visible.

Students may not wear chains, and/or spiked jewelry.

Makeup may not be worn (see note under Grades Seven and Eight).

Head shaving, dying, highlighting or bleaching of hair is not allowed.

No tattoos and body piercing (other than one earring per ear ) are acceptable at our school.

No beeping watches or other mechanical devices that make noise are allowed; this includes cell phones, video games, electronic music devices, headphones, etc.

For Kindergarten through Grade Two:
Children must keep an extra set of clothes at school, both for added warmth needs and for dry changes. Kindergarten children need to have a set of rain gear at school that includes a coat, pants, and boots.

For Grades One through Three:
Small post earrings (no larger than earlobe) are okay at this age as is clear nail polish beginning in the Third Grade.
Indoor shoes/ slippers are required for these grades; please ensure they fit snugly on the feet. Avoid open back clog type shoes that are easily ‘stepped out of’ during circle activities.

For Grades Four through Eight:
At this age, small earrings become acceptable as does light colored nail polish. Clear lip-gloss may be worn.
Shirts that commemorate a Waldorf school event, such as the Olympiad, may be worn.

For Grade Seven and Eight:
Subtle, natural looking makeup may be worn at the teacher’s discretion.
Subtle, natural looking highlights may be added to hair, with consent of class teacher.
Medium color nail polish may be worn.

Eurythmy Performance Attire:
Students should feel comfortable in their clothing, and be unrestricted in their movements.
Solid colors are preferred.
No skin should show at waist even when arms are raised above heads.

Girls should wear skirts or dresses (knee length or longer). Long, ‘skirt-type’ pants may be approved after consultation with the teacher. Long sleeves are preferred, short sleeves are acceptable, but no sleeveless tops

Boys should wear clean, smart pants (no jeans). Pant legs must not touch the floor. Shirts should be long-sleeved, and tucked in. Turtlenecks, button-up, and polo-type shirts are acceptable, no tee shirts or sweat shirts please.

Strings/Choir Performance Attire:
Girls should wear black skirts (knee length or longer) or pants, white shirts, blouses or tops, and dark shoes.
Boys should wear black pants, white button-up shirts, and dark shoes.

The staff of Whatcom Hills Waldorf School takes great care to ensure that our school’s environment is aesthetically pleasing and conducive to learning. We encourage and appreciate ongoing parental support. Please be conscious of what your child is wearing each day at school.

Above all we want students to wear clothing that is comfortable, neatly mended, clean and suitable for both classroom and out door play. Our dress code ensures the comfort and good health of all our students, excludes things that are extreme and distracting, and helps to provide an optimal learning environment.

We are fully aware that our policy is quite specific and may represent a challenge for children, especially in the middle school years. This policy however, has been developed with great care and in dialogue with both parents and students. We are confident that its continued use will play a significant part in the creation of a safe, pleasant, and appropriately stimulating learning environment for all the students on our campus.

The consequence of dress code violation will be that students may not be allowed to enter the classroom. Please keep in mind that enforcement of the dress code by teachers is not necessary when parents send their children to school appropriately dressed .

"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives."

-Rudolf Steiner