Dress Code

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Dress Code (Regulation 734-1 & Code of Behavior)

Please be aware that the Prince William County Public Schools Code of Behavior defines the dress code for all schools in Prince William County and the code will be enforced at Penn Elementary. The PWCS student dress and grooming guidelines follow the State guidance and are created to ensure equity in student expression and staff enforcement and are not intended to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Students are permitted to wear any religiously and ethnically specific or significant head covering or hairstyle. Permitted head coverings and hairstyles include but are not limited to:

  • Hijabs
  • Yarmulkes
  •  Headwraps
  • eBraids
  • Locs
  • Cornrows


Also consistent with Virginia Code §§ 22.1-276.01 and 22.1-279.6, these dress and grooming guidelines were created to maintain gender neutrality by creating equitable standards regardless of gender and to not have a disparate impact on students of a particular gender. Prohibited items of clothing include clothing items which:

  • Reveal bare skin to the extent that they distract or may foreseeably distract other students or staff
  • Reveal or expose undergarments
  • Fit in a manner as to reveal or expose undergarments
  • Contain vulgar, discriminatory, lewd patently offensive or obscene language or images
  • Contain threats or gang symbols
  • Promotes the use of weapons and violence, or the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs, and/or associated paraphernalia
  • Cause or may foreseeably cause a disruption to the learning environment
  • Accessories which could be regarded as or used as a weapon.


Headwear which covers one’s entire head or face with the following exceptions:

  • Worn as part of one’s religion
  • Worn for medical reasons
  • Worn for personal prevention practices as in the case of the spread of infectious diseases
  • Worn for an approved school event
  • Worn as an expression of one’s cultural or ethnical background
  • Jewelry or other items which could be regarded as or used as a weapon. Rubber-sole sports shoes are
    recommended due to the daily recess period and increased PE classes. Loose fitting sandals and flip-flops are not safe for school wear.