Yes. At Kents Hill, we recognize the importance of teaching our students important life lessons, such as understanding how and why they might need to dress differently for different occasions. Our dress code, created in partnership with students and faculty, provides a learning opportunity for students and encourages them to recognize the importance of dress codes for different occasions.
The Kents Hill dress code follows the basic principles of clothing covering genitals, buttocks, chest, and area of the stomach (belly button). Forms of dress, in all settings, must meet the aforementioned basic principles.
Similarly, a student must wear a top, bottom, and footwear appropriate for the setting and activity.
Our dress code strives to create a standard of dress for specific occasions while encouraging personal and cultural self-expression. Kents Hill is committed to celebrating our diverse student body in all aspects of our community life including our dress code. We recognize the importance of being inclusive and respectful of gender, sex, cultural, religious, and ethnic identity while celebrating all body types. It is our desire to allow all students from all socio-economic backgrounds to follow our dress code without experiencing financial hardship. If you feel you need to purchase new wardrobe items to meet the dress code, please contact the student life team for any questions or clarification.
Must Wear During Regular Academic Day (generally 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) and special events
Students should dress knowing that they will be interacting with a range of adults and peers in an academic setting throughout the day or special events such as community dinners, evening programming, awards ceremonies, etc.
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Tops/Dresses: any style top that does not display offensive language or material or art that glamorizes violence, use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances.
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Sweatshirts and hoodies are permitted; however, hats, hoods of the hoodie must not be worn inside school buildings (note: scarves, durags, hair wraps, and cultural and religious headwear are allowed)
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Tops must always cover the chest and upper torso. Tops showing any part of a student's midriff, stomach, and belly button are not allowed.
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Dresses, skirts, and jumpers must always cover genitals and buttocks
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Bottoms/Pants: denim, non-athletic pants, cotton leggings, and non-athletic shorts are allowed.
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Bottoms must always cover genitals and buttocks
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Bottoms must meet or overlap the shirt to conceal the midriff.
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Bottoms must be non-athletic such as denim, corduroy, and khaki
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Appropriate footwear: This is footwear specific to the activity or class and will be indicated by the teacher or activity director.
Athletic wear is considered sweatpants and joggers made of sweatpant materials, yoga pants, workout clothing, athleisure wear, and mesh pants and shorts.
Must Wear During Formal Days
Throughout the year, the school will call a “formal dress day.” Students should dress as if they were attending a business or professional event
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Top (button-down collared shirt, blouse, or formal sweater)
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Bottom (dress pants or shorts, dress, or skirt)
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Appropriate footwear. Beach sandals, crocks, slides, flip flips, and running/gym shoes are not considered formal.
Additional Dress Code Expectations
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Earbuds or headphones are not to be worn in class, school meetings, presentations, or activities (unless given permission by a teacher or required for class/activity)
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Clothing that references alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances/activities, profanities, violence, hatred, or intolerance is prohibited
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Clothing that shows the stomach, front midriff/torso, or side midriff is prohibited.
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Clothing that is unlaundered, sweaty, or dirty or that has rips, holes, or tears cannot be worn during the academic day, formal days, school-sponsored activities off campus, or special programming and event days on campus.
At Kents Hill, we recognize the importance of cultural, ethnic, and religious inclusion. If there are any conflicts in our dress code regarding the above listed or other types of identities, please contact the student life team.
