Uniform Policy

Why wear the Dominican Shield/St. Catherine’s Colors? 

The colors symbolize St. Catherine’s continuing search for truth. The shield of the Dominican Order is the armor of truth. The white represents joy and purity. Above the shield stands the Latin word VERITAS, meaning TRUTH, the motto of the Dominican Order. 

The school expects students to represent themselves well at school, on field trips, and at competitions and other school functions through appropriate attire and proper hygiene. Cleanliness, neatness, safety, and modesty are keys in determining proper grooming and attire. Students are expected to dress appropriately for a Catholic school environment. Any clothing that interferes with or disrupts the educational environment is unacceptable. Clothing should fit properly, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of safety, good taste, and decency. The administration reserves the right to determine if a student’s attire is appropriate. The administration also determines the appropriateness of accessories, make-up, and hair design. The parents/guardians of each child have the responsibility of ensuring that their student reports to school appropriately dressed, clean and neat in appearance.

SCHS has a required school uniform for these reasons: 

  • Unifies us by sending a powerful visual statement of our SCHS community 

  • Reduces “clothing competition”

  • Supports professional and neat dress

  • Encourages distinctions of character and personality instead of appearance

  • Places emphasis on learning, not clothing

  • Reduces peer pressure and social stigmas

  • Equalizes economic diversity

  • Allows for cohesive presentation as a group

  • Simple dress code and uniform allows teachers to enforce the code equally

  • Lowers long-term clothing costs

  • Facilitates security by identifying outsiders

  • Enhances school spirit

  • Decreases property theft

  • Makes laundering simple

NOTE: The SCHS administration makes the final determination on whether a student is in uniform. 

For questions regarding the dress code, please contact Administration or the Front Desk, at (262) 632-2785.  

TOPS 

The outermost layer of the students' tops MUST have the Dominican Shield, SC logo, say St. Catherine’s, Angels or be a school approved team/club/spirit wear shirt.  (9th-grade students will receive a class of 2026 spirit wear shirt at Freshman Orientation). 

  • Polo shirts can be ordered at: https://store.empireprinting.com/stcatherines/shop/home

  • No homemade attire is to be worn and the colors must be reflective of the SCHS dress code: black, white, yellow, or gray. 

  • Jackets may not be worn unless it is a SCHS coat. 

  • Hooded sweatshirts will be allowed; however, hoods are always to remain down and must adhere to the above dress code guidelines. 

  • Pants must be khaki, gray, or black pants/denim material. No rips allowed. 


*Shirts or blouses that expose midriffs or have low-cut necklines that expose cleavage are not allowed; tube tops, halter tops, sleeveless tops, and tops with spaghetti straps are also not allowed. Clothing made of see-thru material is not allowed.

BOTTOMS

  • Black, Gray or Khaki pants.  These may be jean material but must be the above mentioned colors.  They are not to have rips or designs.  Pants must be worn at the waist line or students will be required to wear a belt.

  • Khaki or black shorts, which are mid thigh length.  Shorts deemed too short will require students to change.  Repeated offenses will result in inability to wear shorts.  Athletic shorts are not permissible.

  • Khaki or black skirts, which are mid thigh length.  Skirts deemed too short will require students to change.  Repeated offenses will result in inability to wear skirts.

 *Blue jeans are not allowed (unless otherwise announced). Skirts, dresses, or shorts that are shorter than mid-thigh and/or excessively tight-fitting are not allowed. Sweatpants, yoga pants, jeggings/leggings, spandex shorts (ex. Nike Pro) and pajamas are not allowed.  No ripped pants of any kind are allowed. Low-cut pants or oversized pants that droop or sag so as to expose underwear are not allowed.

SHOES

Footwear must be worn on school property at all times. All shoes must be closed toe, closed heel and closed all the way around the foot. No slippers of any kind, no flip-flops, no house shoes, no Birkenstocks, no wheelies, and no sandals.

GROOMING 

  • Grooming must be neat, clean, appropriate and non-distracting. 

  • Extreme appearances are not allowed, including excessive jewelry and designs shaved into the hair. Visible body piercings must be limited to the ears, lip, or nose and be studded or small hoop, only. (No gages/spikes/helix/barbells/ tunnels/plugs/large hoop, etc.)

  • Students must present a clean appearance which refrains from holes, rips, or frayed clothing

  • Tattoos that depict violence, vulgar words/expressions, weapons, or signify gang affiliation must be covered

  • Make-up will be kept simple and cannot be garish or excessive

  • Stickers, band aids (unless for injury), rhinestones, or any other facial distractions are not permissible

HAIR COLOR

St. Catherine’s High School acknowledges the significant historical and cultural role that hair and hair styles plays for many students. In keeping with tradition and maintaining consistency for the Catholic standards of vesture and appearance, this policy around hair has been established. It is not the intention of SCHS to silence expression or downplay cultural custom by limiting the color options, but rather allow the personality and character of each student to shine through in ways other than outward appearance. 

  • Students may not have dyed or bleached hair that is an unnatural color including, but not limited to, yellow, white, green, purple, pink, blue and unnatural (bright) red.

  • “Natural” colors would be considered:  Black, Blonde, Brown, Mahogany, White and Natural Red.  

ACCESSORIES/OUTERWEAR

  • Bandanas, skullcaps, durags, and hats are not allowed during the school day. Headwear is not permissible during school hours.

  • Any items worn on a student’s head or in their hair may have a St. Catherine's name/logo or be completely black, white, gold and may have a one small manufacturer's logo/print on it.

  • Sunglasses are not permitted during school hours (unless deemed medically necessary)

  • No fanny packs/purses will be worn during the school day.

  • Winter or Oversized Jackets must be kept in assigned locker during the school day

  • Sweatshirts not in accordance with above policies must be kept in assigned locker during the day

  • Winter scarves, hats, gloves must be kept in assigned locker

  • Blankets are not allowed for any reason

DRESS DOWN DAYS

  • Blue jeans (that are NOT ripped or torn).  Shorts, weather permitting and school appropriate length.  No sweatpants, pajama pants, leggings or yoga pants.

  • Uniform top/bottom

  • Uniform branded (i.e. following branding guidelines above) hooded sweatshirt

 

**Clothing or accessories with language or images that are vulgar, discriminatory, defamatory, or obscene is not allowed; clothing or accessories that promote illegal or violent behavior, such as the use of weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, or tobacco is also not allowed. 

**Administration reserves the right to revoke hooded sweatshirt privileges on spirit wear or dress down days should compliance become an issue.