The current dress code in the Highlands County School District is outdated, arbitrary, and unfair—limiting students’ comfort, learning experience, and freedom of expression. As society evolves, so should the policies that shape our educational environment. A modernized dress code should promote fairness, inclusivity, and respect for all students. Change is not only overdue—it is necessary for the health, morale, and success of our student body.

Many students, especially female students, struggle to find clothing that meets the current rules. Most mainstream stores sell everyday items such as crop tops, jeans with rips, leggings, and shorts that the dress code considers unacceptable. This creates a situation where students must either spend extra money to buy hard-to-find clothing or risk disciplinary action for wearing what is widely considered normal attire. Additionally, both Sebring and Lake Placid's policy for rips in jeans states "pants shall not have any holes or rips above the fingertips" while Avon park flat out bans any sort of rip-- even if its not intentional. This rule is not fair and should be subject to all schools not just two of them. 

The length rule for shorts is especially problematic in Florida’s extreme heat and humidity. On many days, temperatures exceed 95°F, yet most stores do not sell shorts long enough to meet the district’s standards. Restricting breathable, weather-appropriate clothing puts students at risk of overheating—ironically, while the district itself educates athletes on the dangers of heat exhaustion. While some length guidelines are understandable, students believe the rule should be more reasonable, allowing shorts to be genuinely comfortable in hot weather—not just 5 inches above the knee or mid-thigh.

Additionally, gym attire rules allow basketball shorts and sweatpants while explicitly banning running shorts, yoga pants in leggings. This limits mobility, comfort, and performance, which directly contradicts the goal of physical education: encouraging active participation, movement, and healthy lifestyles. This would also make it easier for the students to dress out, therefore improving overall gym class grades.

The current dress code is also inherently sexist. The majority of its restrictions target clothing items most commonly worn by female students—such as leggings, running shorts, tank tops, and crop tops—while male students face far fewer limitations on what they can wear, with the only rule only targeting boys is no sagging, which is reasonable. This unequal enforcement not only creates a double standard, but also sends the harmful message that girls’ bodies are a “distraction” that must be covered, rather than teaching all students mutual respect.  Dress codes should not police or shame female students for wearing clothing that is normal, trendy, comfortable, and weather-appropriate. If someone wants to express themselves a certain way—let them.

Don’t restrict students’ First Amendment right to freedom of expression just because their clothing doesn’t match outdated personal opinions or arbitrary fashion standards. Students should be encouraged to develop their individuality, not punished for it—especially when their attire poses no disruption or safety concern.

These restrictions have led many students, particularly girls, to feel disproportionately targeted by the dress code. Schools across the U.S. have successfully implemented less restrictive, more inclusive dress codes without compromising safety or educational focus – so why can't Highlands County?

The district’s website cites Policy 5.37 – Statutory Authority: 1001.41; 1001.42, Florida Statutes, stating:

“The purpose of the dress code is to support a safe, healthy school environment that promotes student success. A student’s dress and appearance should not cause disruption, distract from the educational process, or create a health or safety concern for themselves or others.”

Banning items such as leggings, running shorts, or jeans with rips does not violate any part of this stated purpose. These items do not inherently cause disruption, pose safety risks, or create hygiene issues. If a student becomes distracted by another student’s clothing, that is not the fault of the person wearing it—it is a matter of teaching respect and focus, not restricting the other student’s freedom of expression. Instead, the current rules go beyond the district’s own stated standards, unnecessarily limiting students’ comfort, self-expression, and access to affordable, readily available clothing.

Updating the dress code would:

• Improve student comfort and focus by allowing weather-appropriate clothing in Florida’s climate.
• Reduce disciplinary conflict by setting realistic, fair, and enforceable standards.
• Promote gender equity by removing rules that disproportionately affect female students.
• Align with modern educational values of inclusivity, respect, and student well-being.   
•  Allow students to express themselves the way they want to without restrictions that don't exist in everyday life. 

We urge the Highlands County School District and its decision-makers to listen to students, parents, and teachers. By modernizing the dress code, the district can demonstrate its commitment to equity, comfort, and preparing students for the real world.

Summary of adjustments: 

• Shorts: Modify the length rule to allow shorts that are comfortable in Florida’s heat, not just mid-thigh or 5 inches above the knee–Stores rarely sell shorts that long.
• Tops: Permit crop tops, tank tops, and off-the-shoulder tops, which are commonly sold and worn. 
• Leggings and Yoga Pants: Remove the ban on leggings and yoga pants, as they are normal, comfortable, and functional clothing items.
• Rips/distress in jeans: allow rips in jeans– distressing is natural in jeans over time and not everyone has money to buy new ones. Rips are also not distracting, and should be allowed at all schools
• Allow shorter shorts/ running shorts in gym- girls don't commonly wear or own basketball shorts, and with the Florida heat, going outside in sweatpants while doing physical activity can be dangerous and limits options.

Sign this petition to support a dress code that reflects modern values and protects the rights of all students in the Highlands County School District.