Uniform Policy & Purchase Info
Uniform Policy & Dress Code
Philosophy: The Importance of Wearing a Uniform
A uniform enables students to concentrate on studies rather than clothes, improving learning by reducing distraction, sharpening focus on schoolwork and making the classroom a more serious environment, allowing pupils to perform better academically.
A uniform helps to create rest by knowing each week what the student is going to wear; it means that students do not have to worry about peer pressure when it comes to their clothes.
A uniform includes items that are affordable, comfortable, made from easy-care and easy-wear, appropriate for activity and suitable for all body shapes.
A uniform provides students with an opportunity to dress smartly and take pride in their appearance. It helps them to prepare for when they leave their school years and may have to dress smartly or wear a uniform.
A uniform creates an identity in the community, reinforcing a sense of belonging in the pupils who feel they are part of an organization or a group.
A uniform removes subjective evaluation of a student’s clothing.
SSA Uniform Dress Code
The purpose of the SSA uniform is to maintain a unified, modest, orderly, and restful environment that supports learning, excellence, and community. All students are expected to arrive clean, well kept, and dressed appropriately for the school day.
SSA uniforms are specific, required uniform pieces. Uniform items must be the exact approved items listed in the SSA online uniform store. Similar items, look-alike items, alternate brands, alternate colors, or “close enough” substitutions are not permitted.
The approved uniform list in the SSA online uniform store is the controlling standard for all uniform pieces. If an item is not listed as an approved SSA uniform item, it is not considered part of the uniform.
Families may not substitute similar items from other brands, stores, colors, cuts, or styles. “Close enough” items are not permitted.
General Uniform Requirement
All required uniform pieces must be purchased from, or match exactly, the approved items listed in the SSA online uniform store, including brand, style, color, and design.
Families may not add additional uniform pieces or substitute items that are not part of the approved SSA uniform.
Parents are responsible for ensuring that students arrive in the approved SSA uniform and remain in uniform throughout the school day.
Uniform pieces may not be altered in a way that changes the approved style, fit, length, color, or appearance of the item.
When the Uniform Is Required
The SSA uniform is required on all Academy Days and at any SSA-sponsored event where uniforms are required by leadership, including ceremonies, presentations, performances, and other formal school gatherings.
Girls’ & Young Ladies Uniform Options
Girls & young ladies may wear one of the following approved bottoms:
-
Navy chino pants
-
Navy kick pleat skirt
-
Green plaid skirt
-
Green plaid box pleat jumper
-
Navy stretch twill Bermuda shorts
-
Under skirt/skort/jumper only: Navy blue leggings or navy blue tights. (Leggings are not permitted to be worn without a skirt/skort/jumper.)
-
Only the specific navy chino pants, navy kick pleat skirt, and green plaid skirt, green plaid box pleat jumper or stretch twill bermuda shorts listed in the SSA online uniform store are permitted.
Girls & young ladies may pair the approved bottom with one of the following approved tops:
-
Hunter green polo shirt
-
White short-sleeve button-up dress shirt with with green plaid tie or green plaid crossover tie
-
White long-sleeve button-up dress shirt with green plaid tie or green plaid crossover tie
If a girl or young lady wears the white button-up dress shirt, she must also wear the green plaid tie or white cross over tie. The white button-up dress shirt may not be worn without the tie. Ties other than the green plaid tie in the uniform store are not permitted.
Tights or leggings worn under a skirt must be either navy blue or hunter green. No other colors are permitted.
Skirts must be worn at an appropriate modest length and may not be rolled at the waistband or altered to shorten the length.
Boys’ & Young Gentlemen Uniform Options
Boys & young gentlemen may wear one of the following approved bottoms:
-
Navy blue pull on twill shorts
-
Navy blue stretch flat-front shorts
-
Navy relaxed fit pull on pants
-
Navy relaxed fit twill pants
-
Navy straight fit chino pants
Only the specific navy blue chino pants or navy blue chino shorts listed in the SSA online uniform store are permitted.
Boys & young gentlemen may pair the approved bottom with one of the following approved tops:
-
Hunter green polo shirt
-
White short-sleeve button-up dress shirt with green plaid tie
-
White long-sleeve button-up dress shirt with green plaid tie
If a boy or young gentleman wears the white button-up dress shirt, he must also wear the specific green plaid tie in the uniform store. The white button-up dress shirt may not be worn without the tie. Ties other than the green plaid tie in the uniform store are not permitted.
Cardigans, Outerwear, and Accessories
Permitted cardigans, outerwear, and accessories are limited to the approved items provided in the SSA online uniform store.
Students may not add sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, hoodies, vests, scarves, accessories, or other clothing items that are not part of the approved SSA uniform.
Coats, jackets, and other outerwear not listed as approved uniform pieces should be removed once inside and left in the designated area.
Shoes, Socks, and Belts
Closed-toe shoes are required.
Shoes must be sturdy, clean, and in keeping with the neatness and formality of the SSA dress code. Shoes should not be distracting, sloppy, excessively worn, or inappropriate for a school environment.
Socks should be worn with shoes when appropriate and should be simple, clean, and non-distracting.
Belts, if worn, should be simple and in keeping with the neat appearance of the uniform.
Appearance and Grooming
Students must be clean, well kept, and appropriately dressed.
Students may not wear facial piercings or gauges.
Students may not have visible tattoos.
Hats and sunglasses may not be worn inside the building during any SSA-sponsored event.
Items Not Permitted
The following items are not part of the SSA uniform and may not be worn during academic meeting days:
-
Denim or jean material of any kind, including jeans, colored denim, jeggings, or garments designed to resemble jeans.
-
Joggers, athletic pants, sweatpants, or similarly styled bottoms.
-
Oversized, excessively loose, or baggy clothing.
-
Pullover hooded sweatshirts or hoodies.
-
Clothing displaying logos, graphics, designs, brand names, trademarks, slogans, emblems, or other visible insignia, unless the item is an approved SSA uniform item purchased through the official SSA uniform store.
-
Any garment intended to imitate or substitute for an approved uniform item, but which is not the exact approved item.
-
Any clothing item, outerwear, accessory, or adornment not specifically identified as part of the approved SSA uniform.
-
Skirts that have been rolled, hemmed, shortened, pinned, or otherwise altered from their approved appearance or length.
-
Open-toed footwear, including sandals and flip-flops.
-
Footwear that is excessively worn, damaged, distracting, unsafe, or inconsistent with the neat and orderly appearance of the uniform.
When questions arise regarding whether an item complies with the uniform policy, the determination of SSA administration shall be final.
Exceptions and Accommodations
Any requested exception for medical, physical, sensory, or other serious needs must be discussed with SSA leadership in advance.
Exceptions are not automatic and must be approved by leadership.
Uniform Compliance
Students who arrive out of uniform may be asked to correct the issue before participating in class or SSA activities.
Repeated uniform concerns may result in a parent meeting and/or the student being sent home to change.
SSA leadership reserves the right to determine whether a student is in compliance with the dress code.
Little Learners
Little Learners do not have a formal uniform dress code. However, they must wear closed-toe shoes any time they are outside the Little Learners classroom.
Final Standard
SSA uniform pieces are not suggestions or general style guidelines. They are specific required items.
Students must wear the approved SSA uniform as listed in the online uniform store, without substitutions, additions, or alternate versions.