Dress Code Overview 2026/27

This dress code overview is not an exhuastive explanation, for more information check out our 2026-27 student handbook, starting on page 14.

General Requirements for Attire

General requirements inform every other section.

  • Dress code requirements are to be adhered to during the school day and at all school related events.Dress code requirements are to be adhered to during the school day and at all school related events.
  • Students must be clean, neatly dressed, and maintain healthy hygiene (see Students must be clean, neatly dressed, and maintain healthy hygiene (see Hygiene section).
  • Attire must be in good condition—free of stains, rips, holes, or excessive fraying.
  • Attire with words, text, symbols, characters (e.g., TV, movie, or show figures), and prominent logos is not permitted. Small, discreet or subtle brand logos and generic imagery/patterns are permitted.
  • Items must comply with the dress code outright; temporary covering (e.g., tape) is not an acceptable solution.
  • Undergarments and midriffs must never be visible. Clothing must provide coverage when lifting, sitting, and bending.
  • Necklines must be at or above the collarbone.
  • Attire should not accentuate or draw attention to body features. Form-fitting clothing is not permitted.
  • Visible tattoos (temporary or permanent) and drawing on skin (including hands) or clothes are prohibited.
  • Shorts are not allowed November through March.

Elementary (Grades PreK–5)

All elementary apparel is subject to the “General Requirements for Attire” section above.

Note: For gym days, students must wear dress code approved attire that promotes physical movement; they will not change into different clothes before gym class. The specific days your student has gym will be communicated at the beginning of the year.

  • Boys need to wear sleeved shirts.
  • Girls may wear sleeveless tops that have a wide strap fully covering the shoulder and an armhole cut modestly to prevent gapping or visible undergarments (no spaghetti straps, halters, or racerbacks that expose the shoulder area).
  • GCA school apparel may be worn at any time.

  • Boys and girls may wear jeans, khaki, dress, cargo, or athletic pants.
  • Shorts must be Bermuda length or longer.
  • Knee-length dresses and skirts are permitted provided they are worn over mid-thigh length under-layers, such as leggings or bicycle shorts.
  • Leggings may also be worn under dress tunics that meet or extend below the fingertips.

  • 1st Violation: Parents will be contacted and students will need to change into their extra clothes or wear school-supplied clothing.
  • 2nd Violation: Parents will be contacted and must bring a change of clothes.
  • 3rd Violation: Student will be sent home and/or suspended.

Upper Level & LMA (Grades 6–12)

The required standard for all students in Grades 6–12 is semi-casual attire. This standard necessitates a balanced look that is both professional and comfortable. Semi-casual attire pairs polished items with comfortable, less formal pieces, aiming for an elevated everyday look. This ensures students appear neat, well-groomed, and put together in an academic environment. When in doubt regarding an item of clothing, students must choose the more polished option.

All upper level apparel is subject to the “General Requirements for Attire” section above.

  • Permitted: Dress shirts, button-downs, blouses, polos, knit sweaters, professional cardigans, blazers, or dress tunics that meet or extend below the fingertips
  • Prohibited: Sweatshirts, hoodies, and T-shirts (except for approved Casual Friday apparel)
  • Crewneck Sweatshirts: Crewneck sweatshirts are allowed over a collared shirt.
  • Boys: Shirts must be short-sleeved or longer.
  • Girls: Sleeveless tops are allowed but must have a wide strap fully covering the shoulder and an armhole cut modestly to prevent gapping or visible undergarments (no spaghetti straps, halters, or racerbacks that expose the shoulder area).
  • Logo Mandate: The official GCA logo must be embroidered on the left chest of the outermost garment.
  • Apparel Acquisition: Approved apparel will be available for purchase. All self-supplied apparel intended for embroidery requires prior administration approval.

  • Jeans, khakis, chinos and trousers are permitted.
  • Dress, khaki, or chino shorts are permitted and must be Bermuda length or longer.
  • Knee-length dresses and skirts are permitted provided they are worn over mid-thigh length under-layers, such as leggings or bicycle shorts.
  • Leggings may also be worn under dress tunics that meet or extend below the fingertips.

  • Casual Friday: Any GCA apparel is permitted.
  • Physical Education (PE): Upper level students must change into athletic shoes, athletic pants or knee-length athletic shorts, and school-issued shirts for PE class. School-issued tops must be laundered at home weekly. GCA will collect all school-issued items at the end of the year.

GCA students are expected to follow the dress code. Students who violate the dress code will be required to wear school-supplied over clothing at the sole discretion of the administrator for the remainder of the school day.

  • 1st Violation: Parents will be contacted and students will need to change into their extra clothes or wear school-supplied clothing.
  • 2nd Violation: Parents will be contacted and must bring a change of clothes.
  • 3rd Violation: Student will be sent home and/or suspended.

Hygiene

Good hygiene and grooming are essential components of growth in stature and responsible living at GCA. These standards are taught school-wide to promote student health, present a good witness, and prepare students for future professional expectations.

Parents of students showing signs of puberty are expected to adjust their child’s routine to meet changing needs, such as ensuring more frequent bathing, face washing, and deodorant use.

All Students

  • Hair must be neatly styled and clean. Extreme hairstyles, unnatural colors, or distracting styles (e.g., afros, mohawks, long spikes) are not permitted.
  • Unnatural hair extensions (including colored extensions, tinsel, etc.) are not allowed.
  • Neither fake nails nor extreme nail designs are allowed.
  • Good oral hygiene, regular bathing, and daily use of deodorant (upper levels especially) are expected.
  • Students must be free of any heavy (strong) scents and perfumes.

  • Hair must be neatly trimmed and clean; it may not extend below the eyebrows, earlobes, or collar.
  • Facial hair (mustaches, beards, goatees, etc.) is not permitted. Boys must remain clean-shaven.

Head lice is highly contagious and common among school children. Head lice cause intense scalp itching, and nits (small, white eggs attached to hair) are the visible sign of infestation. Families must inspect children periodically; if lice or nits are found, the student must be treated immediately and thoroughly to prevent spreading, consulting a professional if in doubt. Students may return only after successful treatment and the manual removal of ALL nits.

  • For minor hygiene issues that need improving, the student will be asked to show improvement by the next day.
  • If the hygiene situation is significant, parents will be contacted to pick up the student so the issue can be addressed, and the student may then return to school.
  • After an incident, parents are expected to ensure the student’s hygiene is appropriate for school life until the student shows personal responsibility.
  • If hygiene problems continue after parents have been contacted, consequences may be applied at the discretion of the administrator.

Accessories

Accessories are subject to the “General Requirements for Attire” section above.

  • Girls may have one ear piercing per ear.
  • Sunglasses, hats, coats, jackets, and hoods are considered outerwear and may not be worn indoors except before or after outdoor activities.
  • All students may wear one piece of modest-sized jewelry per type (necklace, bracelet, ring). Jewelry should not be excessive or attention-drawing.
  • Girls may wear makeup only if applied with neutral tones, is hardly noticeable, and contains no sparkles.

Footwear

Footwear is subject to the “General Requirements for Attire” section above.

  • Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes must be worn during the school day and at all school events. 
  • Light-up shoes and roller shoes are not permitted.

Note: For concerts, open-toed dress shoes are allowed.