School dress codes are constant topics of conversations for both the students they impact and those responsible for enforcing them. It turns out, however, that our dress code, at least for some Williston students, is helping them in the classroom.

Williston’s dress code is, according to the school’s handbook, “grounded in creating a culture of belonging and maintaining an environment that’s both comfortable and conducive to learning while simultaneously calling for a commonly understood definition of acceptable dress.”

As the handbook outlines, “students may wear dress shirts, turtleneck shirts, polo-style shirts with a collar, button-down shirts, and blouses. Athletic wear is not acceptable.”

The handbook continues: “Students may wear skirts, dresses, rompers, jeans, pants, or shorts, provided they are in good condition and are no shorter than mid-thigh in length.”

Williston’s dress code compared to other prep schools is laid back. Deerfield Academy, for example, has their students in full formal dress code.

As a former student at Bishop Hendricken, in Warwick R.I., I can attest that the dress code there was full formal, on one hand helped me not worry about what I was wearing because everyone else was wearing the same thing, and so no one could judge. It also helped keep me focused and not lazy.

But at the same time, most of the day I would be bothered by how uncomfortable I was.

Nick Guay, senior from Westfield, Mass., says the dress code has helped him get ready to learn for the day.

“I feel like it gives me structure and gets me ready for the day,” Nick stated.

Nick came to Williston last year from nearby Westfield High.

Most public schools have no dress code, but have regulations on what can and can’t be worn. They are typically lax about what’s allowed.

Hayden Hutner, senior from Wesley Chapel, Fla., said Williston is a big change from public school, where “I was always used to public school dress code and just wearing whatever I wanted.”

He stated that he focused more in class after having a dress code because he didn’t feel like he was a fashion show, which public school could feel like.

” It feels more professional and that I’m at school to do my job,” Hayden stated.

There, of course, are studies that show dress codes can hinder student performance.

According to an article written by Jeff Grabmeier at the Ohio State University College of  Education and Human Ecology on January 11, 2022, “School uniforms were not linked to any differences in bullying or social anxiety in the children. But those who had to wear uniforms reported lower levels of school belonging than did those who attended schools with no uniform requirements.”

Part of that might have to do with individual expression.

“Fashion is one way that students express themselves, and that may be an important part of the school experience,” the article explained. “When students can’t show their individuality, they may not feel like they belong as much.”