Dress Code

Why Do We Have a Dress Code?

At Cassata, the student dress code is an essential part of our school culture and our vision for Catholic education. Here are some of the reasons:

Our strict dress code serves to unify our students as one community of learners, signifying our common purpose and identity as members of the Cassata school community both amongst ourselves and to the outside world.
The dress code lends a sense of order to our school's physical environment, creating an atmosphere that enables students to focus on growing in both knowledge and Christian virtue.
The dress code frees our students from the distraction of the latest fashions and fads. It allows our students' relationships at school to be based not on who wears what brand, but on their character as unique persons made in the image and likeness of God.

But these are just some of the direct, practical benefits of a strict student dress code for our students’ academic achievement and interpersonal relationships. The dress code also benefits our students’ moral development by providing them an opportunity to train themselves in the habit of holding themselves to a high standard. Abiding by a dress code helps students develop virtues like dutifulness, conscientiousness, and humility. It is low-stakes practice in fulfilling responsibilities and proving oneself trustworthy. As our Lord Jesus Christ said, “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones” (Luke 16:10 NAB).

Most importantly of all, as Catholics we affirm that humans are composite beings, comprised of both body and soul, which are equally parts of our human nature and intrinsically and mysteriously linked. If that is so, then bringing order and beauty to our bodies and physical environment automatically and inherently lends order and beauty to our minds, hearts, and souls as well. A strict dress code, then, really and truly ennobles our students and points them toward eternal life with God in heaven.

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Detailed information on our dress code is available below as well as in the Family Handbook and in this convenient one-page overview.

Dress Code Requirements

Students may wear either a Cassata polo with embroidered logo

or a solid white, black, or purple short- or long-sleeve polo.

On Mass Days, all students must wear their Cassata polo.
Generic polos must be free of logos.
Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
Cassata t-shirts are allowed on Fridays unless otherwise notified.

Students may wear either khaki or black pants or blue, black, or khaki-colored jeans.
Ladies may wear knee-length or longer khaki or black skirts.

No jeans on Mass Days.
Pants must be well-fitting (not too baggy, not too tight) and plain—free of patterns or designs, extra pockets, loops, grommets, zippers, etc.
Pants and skirts must be worn at the waist at all times.
No shorts, leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, or athletic pants of any kind.

Pants must have belt loops and be worn with a solid black or brown belt at all times, such as one of the following. Belts must be plain and free of studs, grommets, spikes, etc.

Students may wear black or white shoes or boots.

No flip-flops, Crocs, sandals, or high heels.

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, only approved outerwear purchased from the online Cassata Spirit Store may be worn to school. No other jackets, hoodies, or sweatshirts will be permitted. There are numerous options at various price points, so every family should be able to find an option that works for their budget.

Cassata Spirit Store

Socks and Tights

Socks must be solid white or black.
Tights must be solid white or black. Solid white or black footless tights or leggings are permitted, but socks must be worn. Knit tights for colder weather are also acceptable.
All socks, tights, and leggings must be plain and free of logos or designs (no polka dots, fishnets, etc.). Plain cable-knit texture is acceptable.

Accessories

Solid white or black undershirts may be worn but should not be visible (except for a small triangle underneath the collar). No colored or patterned undershirts. Long-sleeve undershirts may only be worn with long-sleeve polo shirts that cover them completely.
Men are permitted to wear one pair of small, inconspicuous stud or short earrings on the ear lobes only.
A simple analog or digital watch may be worn. Fitbits are permitted, but not smartwatches.

Makeup

Young men are not permitted to wear makeup of any kind.

Additional Expectations for All Students

Students must be in full compliance with the dress code and dress in accordance with their God-given biological sex at all times while on campus, present at school-sponsored activities, and while representing the school at outside functions. This includes all Student/Parent/Teacher conferences.
Head coverings of any kind are not permitted.
All clothing must be modest, well-fitting, clean, free of rips or holes, and free of logos or language promoting drugs, guns, alcohol, tobacco, violence, sexual or other content inappropriate for school.
All students must wear appropriate undergarments at all times, but undergarments must never be visible.
Students’ overall appearance should be tasteful and professional at all times.
A student may be asked to remove or turn in any item deemed inappropriate or a distraction by a teacher or administrator at any time.
The Assistant Principal and Principal are the final authorities on the appropriateness of student dress and may make individual judgments on a case-by-case basis.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Students who come to school out of dress code will be fined in accordance with the Family Handbook. Charges will be automatically added to the monthly tuition payment.
Students who are regularly in violation of the Cassata Dress Code policy are in danger of losing tuition assistance or other disciplinary action as appropriate and at the discretion of school leadership.

Questions regarding the dress code should be directed to the Assistant Principal.