Dress Code

MPH Dress Code Philosophy Statement

Manlius Pebble Hill School is committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that nurtures academic excellence, civic responsibility, and personal growth. Grounded in our core values of authenticity, respect, curiosity, kindness, and agency, we seek to cultivate a school environment that promotes both individual expression and collective well-being where students come to school in learning-ready attire.

The MPH dress code is guided by four key principles: Time and Place, Self-Expression, Self-Regulation, and Consideration for Others.

Time and Place:

Just as social norms vary across settings, our school community recognizes that there is an appropriate time and place for different types of attire. The learning environment at MPH-from Pre-K through Grade 12-is one that values focus, purpose, and respect for academic pursuits. Students are expected to dress in a manner that is neat, clean, and appropriate for a school setting, much as they would adapt their dress for other contexts such as the beach, a workplace, or a formal event. For example, in science classes, you must wear closed-toed shoes for safety.

Self-Expression:

We affirm that clothing can serve as a meaningful form of self-expression and identity development, especially for young people. Our dress code is designed, not to suppress individuality, but to support students in making thoughtful choices that reflect who they are but within the shared norms of the school community.

Self-Regulation:

As students grow, they are expected to exercise agency and responsibility in how they present themselves. Our dress expectations provide a framework for students to practice self-awareness, judgment, and balance-skills essential for adulthood and for navigating a variety of personal and professional spaces.

Consideration for Others:

In a diverse and pluralistic school like MPH, community members hold a range of cultural, generational, and personal perspectives on attire. We ask students to dress with an awareness of how their clothing choices may affect others, recognizing that respect, empathy, and compromise are essential to sustaining a supportive school environment.

Ultimately, our dress code aims to reflect and reinforce the values of Manlius Pebble Hill School. It is intended not as a set of rigid rules, but as a shared commitment to cultivating a respectful, purposeful, and inclusive place of learning.

Dress Code Guidelines

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s) to choose clothing that does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, nor contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere. Students must wear clean shirts, pants, and shoes or the equivalents thereof. Said clothing must be appropriate learning-ready attire with attention to neatness. Pants, shorts, and skirts must completely cover undergarments, the midriff, buttocks, and lower back. Hoodies must be worn off the head.

Students may NOT wear clothing that includes:

• Violent language or images
• Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity)
• Hate speech, profanity, or suggestive language or images
• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment
• Shorts with an inseam under three inches
• Swimsuits
• Pajama pants
• Hats (except as a religious observance or adherence to public health guidelines)
• Ripped clothing (ripped fringe by design is permitted)
• Crocs, sports slides, or flip flops
• Spaghetti straps or strapless shirts or dresses