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12/8/25 UPDATE: Uniform Policy Announced - Uniforms will be required starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Per the email from Brian Bell, school uniforms will be required for K-8 students starting in 2026-2027 school year and for grades 9-12 in the 2027-2028 school year. Use the following links to find more information:

Grades K-8 Dress Code 2026-27​

RCS Uniforms​

Land's End

PLEASE take the time to call and/or email Brian, your student’s administrator, and the chairman of the school board and voice your disapproval.

Brian Bell​

Ben Snyder​

Matt Wiers​

Chris Winters​

Todd Mattson

Even though this policy has been announced, it is important that the administration and the board know how extremely unhappy many families are. Brian has continually tried to portray this change as something that a “majority” of parents want when he has no evidence to back this up. Per Brian, the last survey received only 388 parent responses, with 60% of those in support of uniforms (233 individual parents). Also per Brian, there are approximately 850 families enrolled. This means that the percentage of parents who responded in favor is less than 14% of ALL parents. This is not remotely a majority and it feels intentionally deceptive to play it off that way.

We urge the administration and the board members to hold a meeting where parents can ask questions, voice their opposition, and get direct answers. As tuition paying parents, we deserve transparency and to have our voices acknowledged. 

If you would be interesting in a meeting like this, please add your name to this list.

Please continue to share this petition as much as possible! 

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Oppose Uniforms at Redlands Christian Schools

RCS Administration wants to implement school uniforms for the 2026-2027 school year. As parents, we oppose this decision and want our children to continue to have the freedom to choose their own attire.

The Redlands Christian Schools community has thrived for over a century, promoting an environment where students express themselves freely and pursue their educational goals. For 104 years, students have benefited from the opportunity to make individualized choices about their attire, fostering a culture of self-expression and personal growth, all within the safe space found in a Christian environment. 

There are many reasons why we are opposed to this change in dress code:

• Suppression of Individuality and Self-Expression: Critics argue that uniforms stifle students' creativity and ability to express their unique personalities through clothing. Adolescence is a crucial period for identity development, and uniforms may restrict this process.
• Financial Burden on Families:
  • Despite claims that uniforms reduce costs, they can actually be a significant financial strain, especially considering the continuous rise in costs for tuition and overall cost of living. A general uniform can cost $25-$200 per outfit, or about $100-$600 for a school wardrobe, depending on the quality and number of the pieces, the retailer and the location. This cost is per child, per year. Uniforms will require families to buy more clothes for their children, not fewer. Uniforms are an addition, not replacement. Mr Bell recently sent an email regarding ways to rein in additional costs; enforcing mandatory uniforms would nullify attempts to reduce cost of attendance.
  • There may also be a financial impact on school giving. Families who currently have funds to donate to the school may reduce their giving due to increased costs from uniform expenses.
  • More families may apply for financial aid to help cover the costs.
  • Some families may choose to enroll their children at a more affordable school.
• Questionable Efficacy: Statistics show that uniform policies often do not lead to the desired improvements in academic performance or discipline that some assume they do. In many cases, the anticipated benefits of uniforms are outweighed by the negatives.
• Discomfort and Practicality: Uniforms can be uncomfortable, especially in varying weather conditions, and may restrict movement during physical activities. Nearly half of RCS students are in elementary school, where they will have several recess breaks per day and multiple PE classes per a week, without changing into designated PE clothing.
• Potential for Discrimination: Uniform policies can inadvertently lead to discrimination, particularly against students with socioeconomic differences. Private schools often utilize uniforms as exclusivity signals—e.g., custom designs, embroidered crests, specific brands. These premium touches can reinforce socioeconomic differences, especially when financial aid recipients can’t easily afford them. Branded uniform items typically cost significantly more than generic equivalents—sometimes up to 300% more. Girls’ uniforms can also be priced around 12% higher, amplifying the disparity.
• Lack of Transparency and Motivation:
  • There has not been a strong effort to obtain ALL families’ input and no transparency in what led to these decisions. We were not told what percentage of families participated in surveys, and what percentage of the respondents voted “yes”. 100% participation would be ideal, and we would hope that the drastic change toward mandatory uniforms would not be implemented without a very clear majority of enrolled families in support of it.
  • Families have been given very little information as to the details of the proposed change. Information that families need include costs, types of apparel required, what grades are immediately affected, how this will affect spirit days, picture day, and other community activities. We need more information to consider whether this change is truly in the best interest of our students and families.
  • Additional information we wish had been provided to families is tied to understanding the administration's motivation for implementation of uniforms. Is it an effort to rebrand the school’s image as a “prestigious private school” rather than the welcoming Christian-community school it has been for 100 years? If so, this image could alienate RCS from the community and label our children negatively. Why this change and why now? If families will have to pay for this change, they deserve to understand why. 

By signing this petition, you are supporting the preservation of personal expression and ensuring that Redlands Christian Schools continue to be a place where students can learn and grow as unique individuals. Let's keep the tradition alive and protect part of what makes our school unique. Parents - sign the petition to oppose the implementation of uniforms at Redlands Christian Schools. Please consider signing your name rather than staying anonymous as a list of actual names will have greater impact.

If you have further comments or concerns, contact the administration directly:

Head of Schools, Brian Bell: bbell@redlandschristian.org   

Preschool Director, Kimberly Smith: ksmith@redlandschristian.org 

Lower School Principal, Chris Winters: cwinters@redlandschristian.org   

Middle School Principal, Matt Wiers: mwiers@redlandschrisitan.org  

Upper School Principal, Ben Snyder: bsnyder@redlandschristian.org