Dress Code
At school, we expect Berkshire Waldorf students to be neat, clean, and appropriately dressed. At our “all weather” school, that includes being adequately dressed and prepared for a variety of New England weather, including footwear. We request parents’ and caregivers’ thoughtful collaboration in helping children be ready to fully participate in their entire (read: active, largely outdoor) school day, while maintaining standards of dress and appearance that support excellent behavior and concentration.
Daily Dress
In addition to regular school days, “daily dress” applies to class trips and after-school activities, as well as school-sponsored events held off campus.
- BWS students’ daily dress can be solid colors, stripes or an over-all print (e.g., plaid, calico, gingham).
- School clothing, including undershirts, should not feature writing, numerals, graphics, camouflage or cartoons. (Exception: grade school students may wear Berkshire Waldorf School sweatshirts, or sports jerseys on game days.)
- All tops must have sleeves.
- Tank tops, strapless tops, halters or tops exposing cleavage or bare midriffs are not permitted at school.
- Torn, slit or cut-off jeans are not school attire.
- Shorts and skirts must be knee length or longer, including when worn with leggings.
- Leggings may not be worn as pants.
- Pant length must be above the sole of the shoes.
- Overly large or overly tight pants, or pants worn well below the waist, are not appropriate for school.
- School shoes should be comfortable, flat-soled shoes that will stay on during vigorous outdoor play.
- Flip-flops or over-sized shoes and boots are not accepted. Shoes with laces must be tied.
- In some classes, parents may be asked to provide “indoor shoes” for their children.
- Hats must be removed in the building.
- Hair should be cut or fastened so it falls above the eyebrows and can be kept out of the eyes.
- Hair dye is not permitted.
- Ear piercing, with earrings not longer than two inches in length, is allowed, but other piercings are not.
- Light makeup and nail polish are permitted in seventh and eighth grades, but may not be applied at school.
Assembly Dress
Performance creates a circle between the presenter and the audience. Our students put a great deal of effort into their offerings; learning to present themselves with dignity and assurance includes wearing formal attire.
For school assemblies and public performances, students are asked to dress up. Options include dresses; dress tops and skirts or pants; or a button-front, solid or simply patterned, long-sleeved, collared shirt tucked into pants with a belt. Denim skirts or pants (jeans), and high-heeled shoes, are not permitted.
Dress Code Maintenance
Your child’s teacher will provide a gear list that will help students remain healthy, happy, comfortable and active throughout their school day. Since the Berkshires can have very changeable weather, you may need to provide changes of clothing or extra socks or mittens, for example, to prepare your child to adapt to changing conditions. Please help your child choose modest, comfortable and relatively plain clothing that will allow their personality to shine, and not prove a distraction. Teachers will assist students who arrive at school with attire outside the dress code, or who are wearing questionable dress, and may contact caregivers to provide suitable replacements, or distribute school-provided clothing when necessary.
