STUDENT DRESS CODE
PHILOSOPHY
Rockbridge Academy seeks to glorify God in both the character and culture of the school. In a culture in
which personal expression is exalted, beauty is held in question, and the good of our neighbor is
subordinated to the desires of the individual, we stand as ambassadors for Christ to each other and to the
watching world. Accordingly, the dress code has been established based upon these principles:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Our attire and grooming should point to the Lord that we serve.
Our attire and grooming should portray a heart of both modesty and humility.
Our attire and grooming should reflect respectful conformity to our biological gender.
Our attire and grooming should not seek to exalt the outward beauty of the individual student but
rather seek to invest in and protect each student’s virtue and character.
5. Our attire and grooming should support the orderly operation of our school.
6. Our attire and grooming should willingly conform to the standard, thereby requiring a decreasing
level of oversight rather than increased regulation and oversight and the loss of the freedom that
we have in Christ.
In summary, we ask that parents and students support a manner of dress and personal grooming that
reflects the Christian, classical, and scholarly image of Rockbridge Academy. Students should appear
neat, clean, and modest during the school day, seeking not to distract others or solicit oversight by their
appearance.
GENERAL GROOMING
Careful attention to personal grooming is essential to meeting standards of neatness, cleanliness and
modesty. In addition to the uniform requirements below, the following requirements apply to all
Rockbridge Academy students:
HAIR
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Hair should be neat and not covering the eyes. Additionally, hair for boys and young men should
not cover the ears or collar.
Heads may not be shaven nor hair dyed, either completely or in part.
Young men must remain clean shaven at all times.
Hair accessories for girls and young ladies should be simple and match the uniform colors (red,
white, black, or neutral).
PERSONAL ADORNMENT
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Upper School young ladies may wear make-up that is applied modestly. Girls and young ladies
may wear clear nail polish. French manicures with white tips and clear nail polish are acceptable.
Girls’ and young ladies’ jewelry, if worn, must be simple: hoop earrings larger than a nickel,
nose rings, ankle bracelets, choker style necklaces, and multiples of earrings, bracelets and
necklaces are not permitted. Earrings are to be worn only in lobes of ears.
Boys and young men may not have piercings or wear choker style necklaces. Boys may wear one
wrist bracelet.
Tattoos of any kind are not permitted for any students.
OUTERWEAR
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Students are not permitted to wear outerwear in the building during school hours. The one
exception to this policy is that grammar students may wear outerwear in the cafeteria during
lunchtime before going out to recess.
Athletes may wear Game Day Attire as defined in the Athletic Handbook on game days.
The uniform red or black fleece jackets and pullovers may be worn in the classroom.
OTHER
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The hem of all girls’ and young ladies’ skirts and jumpers must be to the top of the knee. Skorts
must be no more than 1” above the knee. Parents are responsible to monitor the length with
growth spurts.
Grammar girls are required to wear black bike shorts under skirts and jumpers.
Undershirts that show must be solid white or black. Students should wear white or skin-toned
garments under the white blouse or white dress shirt.
The standard for cleanliness includes bathing and deodorant. All students are exhorted to do their
part to keep our school smelling good as well as looking good.
Shirts and blouses are required under sweaters, fleece, and blazers.
UNIFORM
Rockbridge Academy adopted a new uniform standard effective March 1, 2017. The new uniform
standard includes a Daily Wear option for Upper School students. Students opting to wear this uniform
must also be prepared for the Dress Day uniform requirement. The Dress Day Uniform is required
whenever a student is giving a speech or Oral Presentation, when going on field trips, and when directed
by the principal for appropriate school events. The new uniform, set forth in the tables below, is optional
until September 1, 2018.
Students may continue to wear the old uniform until September 1, 2018. It is not acceptable to mix and
match the elements of the two uniform standards, with the exception of the red fleece which may be worn
in class and may be worn with either uniform. By way of example:
 Grammar girls may not wear a red polo shirt or red sweater with a skirt or skort in the new
McDonald plaid.
 Upper school ladies may not wear the new plaid skirt or skort with the old Dennis white blouse or
with the old navy blazer.
 Dialectic men may not wear the new McDonald tie or the brown buck shoes with the old dialectic
sweater.
PURCHASING UNIFORM CLOTHING ITEMS
All items are to be purchased from Dennis Uniforms or
Lands’ End except where noted. Dennis Uniform maintains
local storefronts, and items may also be ordered online at
dennisuniform.com (School Code BTAORB).
Discontinued uniform items will continue to be available at
Dennis while supplies last, and may be offered at
discounted prices.
Several of the new uniform pieces are sold by Lands’ End. Rockbridge Academy’s school code with
Lands’ End is 900030701. Parents should be aware that Lands’ End frequently offers discounts of up to
40% on items at their website, as well as free shipping.
When possible, Rockbridge Academy parents organize
uniform clothing exchanges. Approved uniform clothing
items from either the old or the new dress code may be sold at
the sale.
DRESS CODE
NEW UNIFORM – GRAMMAR GIRLS
Optional from March 1, 2017 / Mandatory from September 1, 2018
Black or white Polo with logo in long or short sleeves
K-6
White Peter Pan collar blouse with monogram in long or short sleeves
K-3
Split Front Jumper in McDonald Plaid
K-3
Box Pleat Skirt in McDonald Plaid
4-6
Skort with tabs in McDonald Plaid
K-6
Girls’ khaki pant with plain brown belt. Belt may be purchased anywhere.
K-6
Red Fleece Zip Front Jacket with Logo (Item #430915***)
K-6
Shirts
Dennis
Uniform
Bottoms
Warm
Layer
Lands’
End
Black or white opaque tights, white knee socks, or white over-the-ankle
socks. No-show/footie socks are not permitted. (see below for FOOTWEAR
K-6
Anywhere
guidelines)
Dress Uniform: White shirt, plaid skirt/skort/jumper, and shoes (see below for footwear guidelines). The fleece
jacket is optional on Dress Uniform days. The Dress Uniform is required for field trips and special events as
instructed by the teacher.
Hosiery
NEW UNIFORM – GRAMMAR BOYS
Optional from March 1, 2017 / Mandatory from September 1, 2018
Shirts
Black, white, or red Polo with logo in long or short sleeves
K-6
Boys’ khaki pant with plain brown belt. Belt may be purchased anywhere.
K-6
Khaki shorts with plain brown belt. Belt may be purchased anywhere.
K-6
Warm
Layer
Red Fleece ¾ Zip Pullover with Logo (Item #430906***)
K-6
Lands’
End
Hosiery
Khaki socks
K-6
Anywhere
Bottoms
Dennis
Uniform
Dress Uniform: White shirt, khaki pants, and shoes (see below for footwear guidelines). The fleece pullover is
optional on Dress Uniform days. The Dress Uniform is required for field trips and special events as instructed by
the teacher.
NEW UNIFORM – GRAMMAR FOOTWEAR
Optional from March 1, 2017 / Mandatory from September 1, 2018
SHOES should look very similar to GH Bass Buckingham Oxford. Shoes are required on Dress Uniform days.
https://www.amazon.com/G-H-Bass-Mens-Buckingham-Oxford/dp/B005PMNDWA
SNEAKERS are required on PE days, except on Dress Uniform days. Sneakers must be predominantly white.
White sneakers may be worn any non-Dress Uniform day in September, October, April, and May.
Lights, character and platform sneakers are not permitted.
NEW UNIFORM – UPPER SCHOOL LADIES
Optional from March 1, 2017 / Mandatory from September 1, 2018
DRESS UNIFORM – The dress uniform is required for all speeches and presentations, special events, and as
required by the principal.
Shirts
Woven Stretch Blouse without logo
 Long Sleeve (Item #470241***)
 Short Sleeve Blouse (Item #473442***)
 ¾ Sleeve Blouse (Item #473444***)
7-12
Lands’
End
Bottoms
Box Pleat Skirt in McDonald Plaid
7-12
Dennis
Uniform
Red or Black Fleece Zip Front Jacket with Logo (Item #430915***) (optional)
7-9
Lands’
Fine gauge black cotton crew-neck cardigan (optional)
End
10-12
(Item # #0928075X4) without logo
When wearing Bucks: black tights, white knee socks, or white over-the-ankle
socks. No-show/footie socks are not permitted. (see below for FOOTWEAR
7-12
Hosiery
guidelines)
Anywhere
Neutral pantyhose, black tights, or bare legs with Dress Shoes (see below for
10-12
FOOTWEAR guidelines)
OPTIONAL PIECES FOR DAILY WEAR – Daily Wear uniform requires Bucks (see below for FOOTWEAR
guidelines)
Black or white Capped Sleeve Polo with logo
Dennis
Shirts
7-12
Uniform
Black or white Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with logo
Dennis
Bottoms
Skort with tabs in McDonald Plaid
7-12
Uniform
Warm
Lands’
Red or Black Fleece Zip Front Jacket with Logo (Item #430915***)
10-12
Layer
End
Warm
Layer
NEW UNIFORM – UPPER SCHOOL MEN
Optional from March 1, 2017 / Mandatory from September 1, 2018
DRESS UNIFORM – The dress uniform is required for all speeches and presentations, special events, and as
required by the principal.
Shirts
Bottoms
Warm
Layer
Tie
Hosiery
White button down, long sleeve oxford cloth shirt without logo
Mens’ khaki pant with plain brown belt. Belt may be purchased anywhere.
7-12
7-12
Red or Black Fleece ¾ Zip Jacket with Logo (Item #430906***) (optional)
7-9
Navy blue Hopsack Blazer (required)
10-12
Red tie with black and white stripes
McDonald plaid Tie
Khaki socks
10-12
7-9
7-12
Dennis
Uniform
Lands’
End
(Blazer
Dennis or
Lands’
End)
Dennis
Anywhere
OPTIONAL PIECES FOR DAILY WEAR
Shirts
Warm
Layer
Black, red or white Performance Polo with logo
Black, red or white Long Sleeve Cotton Polo with logo
Red or Black Fleece ¾ Zip Jacket with Logo (Item #430906***)
7-12
Dennis
Uniform
7-12
Lands’
End
NEW UNIFORM – UPPER SCHOOL FOOTWEAR
Optional from March 1, 2017 / Mandatory from September 1, 2018
SHOES should look very similar to GH Bass Buckingham Oxford in taupe.
https://www.amazon.com/G-H-Bass-Mens-Buckingham-Oxford/dp/B005PMNDWA
RHETORIC LADIES may wear black dress shoes in traditional, closed-toe, classic heel style (no tie-ups) with the
Dress Uniform. Heels may be no higher than 1”.
OLD DRESS CODE CLOTHING OPTIONS FOR GIRLS AND LADIES
May be worn through September 1, 2018 - Please note that other than the red fleece jacket and pullover, students must abide
by one uniform standard or the other with any given outfit.
Item
Grammar
Dialectic
Shirt, short or
long sleeved
White, red, or black polo shirt with
Rockbridge logo
Blouse, short
or long sleeve
White oxford Peter Pan collar with
Rockbridge embroidery
Sweater
Rockbridge Academy embroidered red
crew-neck cardigan
Rhetoric
White oxford cloth blouse with Rockbridge embroidery
Rockbridge Academy black vneck monogrammed pullover
with white banding
Fine gauge black cotton crewneck cardigan purchased from
Lands ‘End
Blue Hopsack blazer from
Dennis or from Lands’ End
Blazer
The Rockbridge Academy Preferred School Number at Lands’ End (www.landsend.com/schools) is 900030701.
Skirt/Jumper
Bruce plaid kick-pleat skirt or dropwaist jumper
Pants
Dennis khaki dress pants with plain
black belt
Shorts/Skort
Dennis khaki dress shorts with plain
black belt or skort during September,
October, April and May
Rockbridge Academy khaki A-line skirt
Stockings in a natural shade; Black tights (from Dennis); Bare
legs permitted during Sept., October, April and May
Hosiery
White over-the-ankle or knee-hi socks;
White or black tights; K-3 girls may
wear red tights.
Shoes
Black, closed-toe, saddle or Mary Jane
dress shoes; Heels no higher than 1"
Black dress shoes in traditional, closed-toe, classic heel style;
heels no higher than 2"; no stacked heels, platforms, boots,
clogs, or moccasins are permitted
Solid white sneakers may be worn daily
in place of dress shoes during Sept.,
October, April and May
FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION ONLY: Predominantly white or black
running or cross-training shoes with solid white or black overthe-ankle socks
Sneakers
Solid white knee-hi socks
(from Dennis) may be worn
with flat dress shoes
Lights, character and platform sneakers are not permitted
Physical
Education
Students will wear the regular school
uniform with solid white sneakers to
school on PE days
Special event
attire
Red shirts and Rockbridge Academy
plaid jumpers; Optional plaid skirt for
grades 4-6; Black dress shoes.
Rockbridge Academy PE Uniform: Rockbridge Academy grey tshirt and black shorts. Optional Rockbridge Academy sweatpants
and sweatshirt, all from Dennis; Students will change into PE
clothing for PE class
Regular school uniform
A blazer is required for all oral
presentations and special
events, as requested
OLD DRESS CODE CLOTHING OPTIONS FOR BOYS AND MEN
May be worn through September 1, 2018
Item
Grammar
Dialectic
Rhetoric
Shirt, short or
long sleeved
White, red, or black polo shirt with
Rockbridge logo
White oxford monogrammed shirt with button down collar
Sweater
Rockbridge Academy embroidered red
v-neck pullover
Rockbridge Academy black v-neck monogrammed pullover
Blue Hopsack blazer from
Dennis
Blazer
Rockbridge Academy tartan
plaid tie
Tie
Rockbridge Academy rhetoric
tie longtie or bow-tie
Pants
Dennis khaki dress pants with a plain black belt. Rhetoric young men may wear a brown belt with brown
dress shoes and brown dress socks when the blazer is worn
Shorts
Dennis khaki dress shorts with plain
black belt during the months of
September, October, April and May.
Hosiery
Solid black dress socks. Rhetoric young men may wear brown dress socks with brown shoes and a brown
belt when the blazer is worn.
Shoes
Black lace-up or slip-on dress shoes; Platforms, boots, clogs or moccasins are not allowed;
Rhetoric young men may wear brown dress shoes, khaki socks, and a brown belt when the blazer is worn
Sneakers
Solid white sneakers may be worn daily
in place of dress shoes during Sept,
October, April and May
FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION ONLY: Predominantly white or black
running or cross-training shoes with solid white or black overthe-ankle socks
Lights, character and platform sneakers are not permitted
Physical
Education
Students will wear the regular school
uniform with solid white sneakers to
school on PE days
Special event
attire
Red shirts, Dennis Khaki dress pants,
black belt, black shoes
Rockbridge Academy PE Uniform: Rockbridge Academy grey tshirt and black shorts. Optional Rockbridge Academy sweatpants
and sweatshirt, all from Dennis; Students will change into PE
clothing for PE class
Regular school uniform
A blazer is required for all oral
presentations and special
events, as requested