DCA adheres to the belief that Christian young people are to be neatly and attractively dressed, positively reflecting their Christian testimony. Uniforms help to cultivate self-discipline which results in self-respect, which is characterized by modesty and good taste in personal grooming. It is believed that well-dressed students not only perform better academically, but also display greater courtesy towards others. Uniforms help to eliminate competition due to outward appearance and affluence. This also has the effect of de-emphasizing outward appearance and emphasizing the importance of inner beauty.

To this end, DCA has developed and maintains a uniform policy. All families are asked to comply with the uniform policy and standards in effect each school year, including the use of approved uniform suppliers. The uniform code will be made available each year during the enrollment season. This will include the uniform standards and the guidelines for grooming and personal appearance. If questions arise concerning dress and personal grooming, the administration will be happy to offer assistance. All visitors are also expected to comply with the dress code in effect. All students must wear the proper attire as outlined below on the first day of school.

Scriptural support for a dress code may be found in I Timothy 4:12; I Timothy 2:9; Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 11:14-15; I Peter 3:3; and I Corinthians 6:19-20.

All Uniforms

• All DCA uniform items must be purchased online at the Donnelly’s Uniform & Apparel website ONLY. There will be no exceptions permitted.
• Shirts must be buttoned with the exception of the top button.
• Students 1st grade through 12th grade must wear a plain black, brown, or navy belt.
• Students 1st grade through 12th grade must have their shirts tucked in at all times.
• Plain white t-shirts are permitted under uniform shirts/blouses (¾ length or long sleeves are prohibited under short-sleeved shirts).
• Pants and shorts must fit appropriately. Pants may not be sagging and must be worn up to the waist line. No “skinny” pant or short look will be permitted.
• Uniforms must be clean and devoid of rips, tears, holes, stains, etc.
• Uniform guidelines are applicable on chapel days, there is no specific chapel dress, unless communicated otherwise for a class chapel or other special program.
• Skirt length must reach the knee when standing.
• Shorts are encouraged to be worn under all skirts. No leggings, yoga pants, or other styles of pants may be worn under the skirt. Navy or white tights/panty hose may be worn under the skirt.
• Students violating the uniform guidelines will be required to change clothing and or may be sent home. For repeat offenses, students may receive disciplinary action for non-compliance to the uniform code.

Shoes and socks

• Sneakers (plain white, blue, black, gray are preferred).
• Dress shoes may be worn, but for safety sake are not recommended.
• No sandals, opened toed shoes, or shoes without a back strap are permitted.
• Shoes that are designed to draw attention, such as neon colors, glittery or bling, furry boots, etc., are not permitted.
• Snow or rain boots are permitted on snowy or rainy days.
• Cowboy boots and high heeled boots are not permitted.
• Only plain white, navy, black, or gray socks are permitted.
• Socks should be devoid of logos, stripes, designs, etc.
• Socks must be visible from the shoe line.
• Girls may wear “ped socks” (socks covering the bottom of the foot) with dress shoes only.

Physical education uniform

• P.E. uniforms may only be worn on assigned P.E. days.
• Middle and high school students will be required to change into their gym uniforms prior to the beginning of P.E. class and may not be worn all day.
• DCA printed navy sweat pants.
• DCA printed navy, mid-knee length gym shorts.
• DCA printed navy sweat shirt.
• DCA printed t-shirt.
• DCA embroidered fleece jacket.
• Plain white, navy, gray socks.
• Sneakers with non-marking soles.

(Students are asked to refrain from wearing jewelry in order to avoid related injuries.)

Cold Weather Wear

• In the classroom, only the uniform fleece jackets may be worn during cold weather.
• Outdoors, any coat or jacket may be worn that is devoid of anything that is considered to be offensive or inappropriate. Please see the office for questions as to what is offensive or inappropriate.
• In the event of extreme cold and or in the event of a heating unit that is temporarily malfunctioning, outdoor coats and jackets may be worn in the classroom.

Girls K-5th Uniforms

Any combination of the following:

• Canary yellow or light blue embroidered polo shirt (long and short sleeve)
• Navy pants
• Navy shorts
• Plaid skirt (must reach the knee when standing)
• Navy fleece jacket

Girls 6th-8th Uniforms

Any combination of the following:

• Navy, white, or gray embroidered polo shirt (long and short sleeve)
• Navy or khaki pants
• Navy or khaki shorts
• Navy or khaki skirt (must reach the knee when standing)
• Navy fleece jacket

Girls 9th-12th Uniforms

Any combination of the following:

• Navy, white, or gray embroidered polo shirt (long and short sleeve)
• Khaki pants
• Khaki shorts
• Khaki skirt (must reach the knee when standing)
• Navy fleece jacket

Boys K-5th Uniforms

Any combination of the following:

• Canary yellow or light blue embroidered polo shirt (long and short sleeve)
• Navy pants
• Navy shorts
• Navy fleece jacket

Boys 6th-8th Uniforms

Any combination of the following:

• Navy, white, or gray embroidered polo shirt (long and short sleeve)
• Navy or khaki pants
• Navy or khaki shorts
• Navy fleece jacket

Boys 9th-12th Uniforms

Any combination of the following:

• Navy, white, or gray embroidered polo shirt (long and short sleeve)
• Khaki pants
• Khaki shorts
• Navy fleece jacket

Hair and Other Items

• Hair should be well groomed and of a normal (natural) color and out of the face.
• Hairstyles such as large afros, mohawks, shaved/carved hair designs, non-natural colorations, etc. are not permitted.
• Hairstyles which are not approved may result in a student being sent home. Students who violate the hairstyle guidelines may be sent home. For repeat offenses, students may receive disciplinary action for non-compliance.
• No more than two earrings per ear are allowed. (For girls only)
• Body piercing and tattoos are not permitted.

Special Activity Dress Code

Field Trips and dress down days

• School uniforms must be worn to museums, plays, and other such trips. Teachers will communicate when this is necessary.
• Jeans in good condition with no holes.
• No “skinny” jeans or baggy/saggy jeans.
• A DCA field trip t-shirt must be worn on all field trip, unless otherwise directed by the teacher.
• The shoe and sock policy applies to field trips.

Dress Down Days

• Jeans in good condition with no holes.
• No “skinny” jeans or baggy/saggy jeans.
• Any t-shirt, sweatshirt, polo shirt, or button up shirt that is devoid of offensive or inappropriate material may be worn. For questions regarding what is offensive or inappropriate, please contact the school office. Plain shirts with no writing or logos are preferred.
• The shoe and sock policy applies to dress down days.
• Only uniform shorts are permitted on dress down days.

Other Special Activity Dress Guidelines

• NO shorts, tank tops, muscle shirts or sleeveless shirts are be permitted.
• DCA physical education shorts are not permitted to be worn outside of gym class.

Any violation of the above dress code may result in the student either being kept out of class until correct clothing articles can be provided, or at the discretion of the administration, being sent home. Additional disciplinary consequences could also be incurred.