Updated August 2025
McLain Beliefs and Student Responsibilities
McLain High School understands and fully supports students’ right to self-expression. While you are at school, it is our responsibility to maintain student safety, create a positive learning environment, and prepare students for professional life after high school. We also know that for some students how one dresses impacts them both mentally and physically. Therefore, all limitations and guidelines are centered around the safety and well-being of our students, both mentally and physically. McLain Personnel have the right to address students who are not following the outlined expectations. The McLain uniform policy is subject to change based on current best practices, student & family support and input, and as a result of any discrimination or bullying that takes place because of the dress code.
Outside of families and staff, McLain High School students also carry the responsibility of holding themselves and their peers accountable to follow the policy outlined below. As leaders and as advocates of your rights as a student, we encourage peer accountability in a way that is positive and appropriate.
In the case that a student is in need of uniform or grooming items, they will be provided for the student at no cost to the student.
Overview of Policy
The responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with the student and his or her parents or guardians.
Attire or grooming depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, profanity, or hate speech is prohibited.
A student's attire or grooming should not be grounds for exclusion from his or her participation in school classes or programs or in school-related activities. If, however, the attire or grooming of a student poses a threat to the health or safety of any other person, the appropriate solution as stated in the student handbook will be followed.
School-directed changes to a student’s attire or grooming should be the least restrictive and disruptive to the student’s school day. Any school dress code enforcement actions should minimize the potential loss of educational time. Administration and enforcement of the dress code shall be gender neutral and consistent with the TPS value of equity.
Allowable Dress and Grooming
- Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent and shoes.
- Shirts must fully cover a student’s torso (including stomach & back)
- Clothing must conceal and cover undergarments.
- Shirts & dresses must have fabric in the front and on the sides and must also have straps.
- Fabric must cover all private parts and must not be see through (which also includes holes as well as see through material).
- Bottoms must fully cover a student from the waist down to at least mid-thigh.
- Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist.
- Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.
- McLain Student ID (current, valid, and unaltered) must be visibly displayed at all times while on the campus.
Non-Allowable Dress and Grooming
- Clothing may not depict, advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.
- Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity or sexual acts.
- Clothing may not use or depict hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation or any other protected groups.
- Clothing may not reflect any depictions of weapons.
- Clothing, including gang identifiers, must not pose a threat to the health or safety of any other student or staff.
- Headwear (excluding being worn for religious purposes) may not be worn in the building.
- Houseshoes & slippers may not be worn in the building.
- Sunglasses shall not be worn to class or within school buildings, unless prescribed by a physician.
Spiritwear
McLain High School encourages wearing McLain spiritwear. McLain spiritwear will be sold throughout the year in our school store. Spiritwear can be worn at any time.
Religious, Health, and/or Other Accomodations
If a bona fide religious belief or health need of a student conflicts with the school dress code, reasonable accommodation shall be provided. Any student desiring accommodation shall notify the school principal in writing of the requested accommodation and the factual basis for the request. Approved coverings worn as part of a student’s bona fide religious practices or beliefs shall not be prohibited under this policy.
Backpack Policy
Clear bags are the only type of backpacks that will be allowed in the classroom. All other backpacks must go in students’ lockers. Clear backpacks can be purchased for $5 from room 102 during lunch or before school.
Any teacher can issue you a locker, however, we encourage you to get one either by your first or last hour teacher.
If you bring a non-clear bag to class, you will be told to go put it in your locker. AND if you do not make it back to class before the bell, you will need a pass to enter. If for some reason you were never given a locker, please communicate with your ICAP teacher or the counseling office.
Clothes Closet
Families and students in need of appropriate clothing for the day or to keep may see the Social Services Specialist to visit McLain Threads.
