NP3 High Implements New Dress Code

By Krista Chouang
Copy Editor | The Pacific Times

Example of an outfit on a male student following the 2019-20 dress code.

NP3 High School’s dress code policy was revised for the 2021-22 school year with major differences.

The school’s dress code has a past of being disliked among students. In articles previously published by The Pacific Times, students said the NP3 High School dress code was unfair and inconsistent. The new dress code implemented this school year focuses less on the clothing students wear and more on the type of content it advertises.

In the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, students signed a contract agreeing to follow the dress code in the handbook packets. But some students still see room for change in the school’s dress code and have even talked about plans to protest the rules by breaking them.

Another sophomore, who asked not to be identified said, ““It’s slightly better, but not really. I just think there’s not much room for expression without getting dress coded and it’s also just unnecessarily proper and strict. Like this is school, why can we not wear sweats.”

Example of an outfit on a male student following the 2021-22 dress code which would not have been allowed during the 2019-20 school year.

Other students, such as senior Jaclyn Nguyen, said the dress code is “fine.”

“It seems a lot better now. Before, there were far too many restrictions,” said another sophomore, who asked not to be identified. “I don’t really wear sweats or shorts so the issue doesn’t really ever concern me, but I understand students that disagree with it.”

The most major change in the dress code is that the restrictions on types of tops students can wear are looser than in years past.

In the old dress code, students were only permitted to wear plain sweatshirts, sweaters, collared shirts, blouses, and V-neck shirts of any color or design. Crew Neck shirts were permitted if they were plain black, plain orange, had a college logo, or had “NP3” on it. Tops with spaghetti straps, which showed the midriff, were low cut, a jersey, oversized, sleeveless, or excessively tight were not allowed. The one exception to the t-shirt policy was that students could wear any t-shirt on Friday as long as it did not promote alcohol, drugs, violence, racism or discrimination, and was not oversized or excessively tight.

Example of an outfit on a female student following 2019-20 dress code.

The new dress code now specifies that tops must cover the wearer’s shoulder to shoulder and down to the midriff. Tank tops, spaghetti straps, and sports jerseys are still not allowed.

“I still find it unreasonable to not allow us to wear jerseys,” said Mai.

As for bottoms, in the old dress code students were permitted to wear bottoms that fit at the natural waist and reached at least fingertip length. Bottoms that were sagging, too tight, ripped or frayed, athletic attire, or had dangling belts or chains were not allowed. Leggings were only permitted when worn under a skirt or a dress.

In the new dress code, bottoms are required to cover three to four inches down the upper thighs and not be athletic attire, unless required by specialized courses. Clothes must also not be ripped or torn.

“I think they still won’t allow us to wear sweatpants and I feel like that’s still dumb,” said Mai. “Sweatpants are comfortable, especially during the winter.”

Example of an outfit on a female student following the 2021-22 dress code which would not have been allowed during the 2019-20 school year.

Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons. Otherwise, hats and hoods are not allowed to be worn indoors.

Half of the requirements in the revised dress code focuses on restricting the depiction, advertisement, and advocation of violence, sexual content, discriminatory speech or images against protected classifications. This includes race, sexual orientation, gender identity and more, and illicit substances like drugs and alcohol.

The current dress code states that the school will work with families to ensure students come to school appropriately dressed. If out of dress code during school, students will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing for the remainder of the day. If they don’t have their own clothing which meets dress code requirements, they will be provided with temporary school clothes. If necessary, parents may be called during the school day to bring clothes for students to wear.

To read the 2021-22 dress code, click here.