Uniforms

Updated August 2026

McLain Beliefs and Students’ 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. 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 and 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 are 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 equity values. ​

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.

TPS Board Policy

For additional information regarding student dress please refer to TPS board policy.

Student IDs

Student IDs are issued to students for free at the beginning of the school year. IDs are to be visibly worn, all day, every day, around their neck. Lost or damaged IDs or lanyards must be replaced immediately, at student cost ($3 for 1st, $5 for 2+). IDs may not be altered in any way beyond original printing.

If a student does not have his/her ID, then he/she will report to the counselor’s office to get a temporary ID BEFORE class. Each student will have a maximum of three free temporary IDs per semester. After the third temporary ID, students will have to pay $1.00 for each temporary ID. New IDs will cost $3.00 for the first one and $5.00 for the second one and beyond. 

If a student does not have an ID and is not able to pay for a new ID or a temporary ID the student will report to TRAICE for the day. 

Students will not be allowed into the classroom without an ID. 

WHY: Student IDs are VITAL to safety at McLain. An ID allows us to identify who should or should not be in our building. Failure to wear a school ID will result in immediate consequences including but not limited to detention, TRAICE, or suspension. Additionally, having someone in the building without identification could cause our building to immediately go on lock down, because they could be an intruder on campus. 

Uniform Do’s and Don’ts

• DO 
  • Wear clothing that fully covers undergarments, torso, and private parts. Wear fabric that is not see through (skin must be covered)
  • Wear current Student ID at all times
  • Wear clothing that is suitable for scheduled activities (Safety glasses in labs, athletic gear in P.E. or sports, etc.)
  • Wear a shirt, pants, shorts, or skirt, and shoes. Shorts, pants, and skirts must at least cover from waist to mid-thigh.
• DO NOT
  • Have any depictions of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other controlled substances
  • Have any depictions of hate speech, bullying, pornography, profanity, nudity, or weapons
  • Wear headwear, hats, hoods, bonnets, or caps (except for those being worn for religious purposes). NO sunglasses (unless Rx)
  • Wear house shoes or slippers
• If the student’s attire or grooming threatens the health or safety of any other person, then discipline for dress or grooming violations should be consistent with discipline policies for similar violations.

RELIGIOUS, HEALTH, AND/OR OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS 

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 are not permitted on campus. 

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. 

McLain Emporium

Families and students in need of appropriate clothing for the day or to keep may see the Social Services Specialist to visit the McLain Emporium.

DONATIONS

Please consider donating new or gently-used clothing that your student has outgrown or no longer needs if possible. These items should be clean and in good condition and will be made available to Titan families who are experiencing financial difficulties and may be unable to purchase appropriate clothing for their family.