Clark Magnet High School has been serving the community for at least two decades. It is a good school that focuses on academics, however, there is a huge problem that leads to many people transferring schools, and leaving many opportunities behind. This problem is the school's extremely strict dress code. 

     Below we are attaching the current dress code, so it is visible for our community how strict it is. 

Clark Magnet High School Dress Standard

Clark Magnet High School faculty, staff, and administration are committed to establishing a positive educational atmosphere, and our students will dress to reflect the professional character of our school.  

 To that end, please note Clark Magnet High School’s Dress Standard detailed below:

 Slacks: Slacks will be uniform-type cotton, solid color, properly tailored to fit at the waist and covering undergarments.  Slacks/pants will be regular cut, non-riveted and without any holes or rips. Sweatpants will only be permitted during physical education class (P.E. class).   Not Allowed:  Tights, Leggings, Joggers, Jeggings, Sweatpants, Oversized or baggy slacks/pants and any spandex (form fitting) style slacks/pants.  NO JEANS of any color or style. RIPPED OR TORN JEANS ARE NEVER ALLOWED.

 Shorts/skorts:   Shorts/skorts will be uniform-type cotton, solid color and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. They must be properly tailored to fit the waist and covering undergarments.  Shorts/skorts will be regular cut, non riveted without any holes or rips.  Not Allowed:  Oversized or baggy shorts/skorts and any spandex (form fitting) biker style shorts.  NO JEAN shorts/skorts of any color of style.

 Skirts:   Skirts will be uniform-type cotton, solid color, and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.Not Allowed:  Any spandex (form fitting) skirts.  NO JEAN skirts any color or style.  

 Shirts/ Blouses: Shirts/Blouses will be solid color with a collar and sleeves.  Shirts/Blouses must be buttoned during school hours and must be long enough to cover the mid-section and stay below the top of the pants at all times.   Not Allowed:  Bare midriffs, oversized tops, tank tops, “blue jean” material or denim Shirts/Blouses.  A jacket or sweatshirt with a collar does not take the pace of a Shirt/Blouse.

 Dresses:   Dresses will be solid color with sleeves and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.   Shoes: Shoes will be worn at all times. Not Allowed: Flip-flops, sandals, open-toe shoes. 

  Outerwear:   All outerwear including jackets and sweatshirts will be solid color.  Only Clark Magnet High School Clubs and Class sweatshirts with print /lettering will be allowed.   Not Allowed: Prints, stripes, logos, or sport insignias.

Hats/  Sunglasses: Brimmed hats may be worn outside for sun protection.  Hats must be plain, with no insignia and worn as designed. All hats and sunglasses must be removed when  entering any building. Not Allowed: Caps without brims, such as beanies and baseball hats/caps worn backwards.

  Athletic Wear: Athletes may wear team sanctioned athletic jerseys ONLY on game day.  Pants/slacks must still adhere to the Clark Magnet dress standard as noted above.

 THE FOLLOWING ARE ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES INCLUDING ON FREE DRESS DAYS:

 Apparel with gang-related symbols or insignias, any sports jerseys, any attire that could be used as a weapon, such as chains, spokes or studs.  This includes chains attached to wallets. RIPPED OR TORN JEANS ARE NEVER ALLOWED. Clothing that promotes drug use, tobacco use or alcohol use is absolutely prohibited.  

 DRESS REGULATIONS ARE IN EFFECT AT ALL SCHOOL FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS UNLESS OTHERWISE ANNOUNCED.

 CONSEQUENCES OF DRESS STANDARD VIOLATIONS For any dress standard violation, the student will be sent to the office for consequences: 1st offense:  Lunch Detention 2nd offense: Lunch Detention 3rd offense: Alternative to Suspension (ATS) 4th offense: Alternative to Suspension (ATS) 5th offense: Alternative to Suspension (ATS), parent conference, Administrative Contract 6th offense: In-house Suspension 7th offense: One day Suspension 8th offense: Multiple days of Suspension Senior Clause:  Repeated violations of the Dress Standard may result in loss of Senior Class privileges including, but not limited to; no participation in Catalina Field Trip, Disneyland Trip, Prom, and Commencement Ceremony.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Revised  3/21/19

     As you can see, there are strict rules about what kind of clothing students can wear. The student body and their families find it very difficult to get the specific clothes needed. Also, some students do not have the means to afford the specific clothes, resulting in them getting punished. When given lunch detention or an ATS for a simple violation, it goes on their record permanently, and can affect their chances of getting into a good college. There are many students at Clark Magnet that are exceptional students and role models, but they do not have a perfect record because of this. This causes the students to think more about not violating the dress code and creates unnecessary stress in addition to their workload. Students get punished for not wearing solid color clothes or wearing  comfortable and affordable pants, with the reasoning that students need to look more professional around the campus. The reasons people get dress-coded include: wearing black jeans, having khaki’s with visible pockets, or wearing a striped button-up shirt while looking very professional. 

      Also, while the staff claims that the students need to look professional and be role models, sometimes even the staff do not follow the rules they themselves have set. We also want to point out that even though the school is claiming that they are aiming for professionalism, professionalism has changed over the years. Many companies are incorporating black jeans in their dress code.  We agree with maintaining professionalism around the campus, however not in these harsh conditions

     We, creating this petition, want you to know that we are not only voicing students, but also many other people whether some staff or parents, and both of these people are extremely important factors to the education our students receive. We are not trying to put anyone down, or make this about right or wrong. This petition is being created, so people around the campus can have a voice and can raise awareness about this issue. 

     This type of dress code also in some ways violates students’ rights. This is a violation of  the first amendment of free speech. The dress code prevents our student body from expressing their righteous self because of the immense restrictions. We are aware that students sign a contract before entering Clark Magnet, acknowledging that they are aware of the dress code. However, many students are forced to sign these contracts because Clark Magnet being the school it is, has amazing opportunities for hard working people, and students do not want to miss their chances on a successful future. 

     Even if it is not possible to entirely get rid of the dress code, we are pushing for at least some changes that will make the dress code less harsh and more affordable. There are parents who are not able to spend time and money on buying Clark clothes. It is extremely hard to find pants that do not have pockets. In times when that kind is available, it is very expensive. 

     To make it clear, we do not want to get rid of the dress code because there is a standard dress code policy around the district, and we want to keep this policy.  We are petitioning to remove this strict dress code and make Clark Magnet an energetic and a welcoming place for every student.