Uniform Guidelines
Dress Code
Ursuline Academy’s traditional dress code upholds the core values of our mission. The uniform is worn with pride and enhances a sense of unity and community spirit among our students. There are two versions of the uniform: basic and formal, and then a spirit wear dress code for spirit days.
Basic Uniform
- School ID—Must be worn on the school-issued lanyard around the student’s neck at all times, including Spirit Days and uniform holidays.
- Ursuline plaid skirt or navy tailored pants:
- Skirt must be an appropriate length for school and participation in all school activities, no shorter than mid-thigh.
- Pants must be full-length, measuring from waist to ankle, and made from fabrics such as cotton, cotton/polyester, or wool. (Pants made of fabrics such as denim, corduroy, leather, velvet, Lycra, etc. are not part of the uniform.)
- White polo shirt, long or short sleeve, with the school insignia:
- Polo shirts must be worn at all times, including under school-approved sweatshirts or quarter-zips.
- Only seniors may wear navy blue polos.
- Polos may be worn untucked, but they should be no longer than hip length.
- Socks or Tights: Navy blue or black socks (socks must be visible above shoes or sneakers); black or blue tights.
- Shoes: Black sneakers with black laces (there may be a minimal amount of white on the sneaker, or they may be all black); tan, brown, black, or navy shoes with rubber soles (i.e., Docksiders or penny loafers).
Examples of Acceptable Shoes:
Examples of Non-Acceptable Shoes:
Additional Basic Uniform Options (contingent on weather):
- Navy blue fleece jacket with school logo.
- “URSULINE” navy blue crew neck sweatshirt (sold only in the UA school store).
- Navy quarter-zip with the bear paw or “Ursuline” on the front
- Black or navy leggings—worn under skirts during winter months only.
- Personal winter coat/parka—worn when traveling between buildings.
- At the discretion of the administration, students may be allowed to wear boots.
- On the first Friday of the month, students may wear hooded Ursuline sweatshirts or any team or club sweatshirts; otherwise, hooded sweatshirts are not part of the uniform.
- Seniors: Tie-dyed senior t-shirts may be worn on the 26th of each month (in recognition of their grad year). College sweatshirts will be allowed after April 1.
Examples of uniform-acceptable pants.
Formal Uniform (to be worn at Mass and other formal occasions)
- Green blazer
- Ursuline’s green plaid skirt OR navy blue tailored pants:
- Skirt must be an appropriate length for school and participation in all school activities, no shorter than mid-thigh.
- Pants must be full-length, measuring from waist to ankle, and made from fabrics such as cotton, cotton/polyester, or wool. Pants made of fabrics such as denim, corduroy, leather, velvet, Lycra, etc. are not part of the uniform.
- Short-sleeved or long-sleeved polo shirt with the school insignia—must be tucked in. Seniors wear navy shirts; all other students wear white. *Please Note: The polo shirt must have the school insignia; plain white polos are not acceptable.
- Black or navy blue tights
- Tan, brown, black, or navy shoes with rubber soles* (for example, Docksiders or penny loafers.) *Please Note: Sneakers are not part of the formal uniform; students may change into their sneakers at the conclusion of the Mass or formal occasion.
How to Purchase?
Blazers, skirts, and polo shirts should be purchased through our uniform distributor, Donnelly’s Clothing.
Spirit Days celebrate our pride in our community. On Spirit Days, students may wear anything with the Ursuline Academy name or logo on it. We respect that not everyone may have non-uniform Ursuline clothing, so in the spirit of community, appropriate Spirit Day clothing items also include anything green and/or white in color as long as they follow these guidelines:
- No other school, company, or logo should be present in a student’s clothing of choice.
- Ursuline Academy sweatpants and athletic shorts are acceptable.
- Flip-flops, ripped jeans, short shorts or short skirts (shorter than mid-thigh), sheer garments, and tops that do not cover the student’s midriff, are strapless, or have “spaghetti straps” are not permissible.
- Please remember that lanyards and IDs must be carried and accessible on all Spirit Days and uniform holidays.
FAQs
Does it matter what my uniform looks like?
Yes! Please wear the plaid with pride! The uniform is a community standard. Much like an athletic uniform indicates you are part of a team, your school uniform shows you are part of the Ursuline family. Shirts and skirts must be clean and ironed. Polo shirts do not need to be tucked in for general school days but should be tucked in when the formal uniform is required.
Does it matter what I wear under my shirt?
Yes! Wearing colored t-shirts, sleeveless blouses, and layering long-sleeved shirts under polos is not allowed. Brightly colored sports bras that are visible through the shirt are also prohibited.
“I have grown quite a bit in the past year but would rather not buy a new skirt. How high a hem is too high?”
Please let out the hem if you feel your skirt is too short. Rolling your skirt is not allowed. There is also a “gently used” uniform closet available, and you may make a request with Ms. Abby Johnson to see if a larger size is available. Email ajohnson@ursulineacademy.net to inquire.
What kind of shoes are uniform-approved?
You may wear black sneakers with black laces or tan, brown, black, or navy shoes. High heels, shoes with visible fur lining, clogs without backs, moccasins, slippers, and flip-flops are not acceptable footwear. At the discretion of the administration, boots may be allowed during the winter months. If you have a question about your shoes, please contact a member of the administrative team.
What are the consequences of not adhering to the uniform guidelines?
Violators of the dress code may receive detention at the discretion of individual faculty and staff members or members of the administration.
Do seniors receive special uniform privileges?
Seniors wear a navy blue polo shirt. Tie-dyed senior t-shirts may be worn on the 26th of each month, in recognition and celebration of their grad year. Beginning on April 1st, seniors may wear college sweatshirts. Additional senior uniform privileges may be granted at the discretion of the administration.
May I wear jewelry or makeup? May I color my hair or have body piercings or other forms of body art?
Jewelry, make-up, and hair adornments must be understated and appropriate. Hairstyles should not be distracting, and hair may not be dyed unnatural colors. Body art and piercings on any part of the body, except for ears, are not allowed.
