Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Uniform Guidelines

The WYWLA Uniform Policy is driven by our desire to create and promote an environment where dress is not a distraction to the educational process. As leaders, students are expected to present themselves in a serious, productive manner, which includes their daily school attire. Students in grades 6 – 10 must arrive dressed in the following uniform options each school day, unless otherwise noted. Students attending field trips or school sponsored off campus activities shall wear school uniforms, unless otherwise advised.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

The following guidelines outline the requirements for each uniform item. Items not described below are not permitted. Most items must be purchased through our approved uniform vendors. 

All students are expected to present themselves as neat and prepared for the school day.  Dress code violations due to family constraints should be referred to an administrator. Intentional violations may be referred to administration using standard procedures.

Shirts/Blouses

• Students may wear solid color polo shirts for the month of August to support back logs and orders for embroidered tops.
• Students may wear a polo style short or long sleeve shirt in white, navy blue, or light blue with approved logo.
• Students may wear the women's long sleeve fitted oxford button down shirt in white or blue with approved logo.
• Students may wear WYWLA Owl sweatshirts with a WYWLA shirt underneath.
• Shirts with logos must be purchased from approved uniform vendors only.

Hair Accessories 

• Students may wear the vendor produced headbands and/or hair accessories in school colors.
• Students may not wear kitten, animal, or other distracting headbands.
• Students may not wear hoodies in the building.
• Students may not wear bandanas or bonnets.
• Students may not wear hats in the building.

Jewelry/Accessories

• Students may not wear arm or leg warmers.
• Students may not wear face paint, arm paint, leg paint (either pre-printed or drawn on).
• Students may not wear excessive bracelets or necklaces. (Covering more than 1 inch).

Skirts

• Students may wear skirts, kilts, or skorts in khaki, navy, or WYWLA school plaid (#57).
• Skirts must be no shorter than 3 inches above the top of the knee.
• Skirts should not be rolled up.

Shorts & Pants

• Shorts must be flat front walking or Bermuda style shorts in khaki or navy. 
• Shorts must be no shorter than 3 inches above the top of the knee. 
• Color must be standard khaki or navy if not purchased from the uniform vendor. No patch or cargo pockets. 
• Shorts with cuffs or rolled hems are not permitted.

Pants 

• Pants must be flat front pants in khaki or navy only (no dickies, cargo, or scrub pants)
• All pants must be straight, flare or boot cut—no skinny or tapered legs.  
• Color must be standard khaki or navy if not purchased from the uniform vendor. No cargo pockets. 
• Belts are optional. Belts must be solid navy, black, or brown. No fashion buckles or fabric.

Footwear (may be purchased at various locations)

• Students may wear boat shoes.
• (Sperry style in solid tan, brown, or blue; does not have to be Sperry brand. No designs or patterns).
• Students may wear Mary Jane style shoes in solid black, brown, or navy leather. Must be flats—no heels. 
• Students may wear penny loafer style shoes in solid black, brown, or navy leather. Must be flats—no heels.
• Students may wear solid gray or navy New Balance sneakers. No other sneakers are uniform approved.
• Students may wear solid white or navy socks. Please use sock reference guide below.

• Students may wear solid white or navy tights—no leggings. Exceptions will only be made for religious purposes. Parents must inform administrators of religious requirements prior to the start of school.
• Crocs, fashion sneakers, and boots are not permitted on standard uniform days.
• Solid Navy or Black Rain Boots are permissible for rainy days. 
• Solid White, Grey, or Navy New Balance Sneakers may be worn with a doctor’s note to support medical conditions.
• Students with medical conditions that require special footwear should inform administrators in advance and present medical documentation. 
• Shoes must be worn fully during the school day (no half on, half off).
  
  

Outerwear 

• Students may wear solid classic navy, black, or tan blazers.
• Students may wear navy fleece jackets or pullover windbreaker with school logo. 
• Students may wear approved WYWLA OWL sweatshirts with uniform shirts or polo/oxford shirts underneath the sweatshirt.
• Students may wear any WYWLA seasonal promotional items (Collared sweatshirt, quilted vest, scarf, etc.).
• Coats should not be worn in the classroom (when feasible).
• If WYWLA outerwear is removed, shirts underneath must also be approved items. 
• Hoodies are not allowed.
• Blankets are not allowed.

Game Day

• Student athletes may wear their school (Oberlin Middle or Broughton High School) athletic jerseys top with school uniform bottom and shoes on game days.

Winter Attire

Our uniform guidelines include options that provide warmth and protection from winter weather conditions. These items include:

• WYWLA OWL sweatshirts
• Navy blue fleece jackets with WYWLA logo
• Navy or khaki pants
• White or navy tights

The following items will not be permitted on Standard Uniform days:

• Fashion sneakers, Crocs, boots including Uggs
• Skinny jean, leggings or jeggings
• No non-uniform attire worn in bulk underneath WYWLA outerwear

PE Attire

• Students are required to wear designated PE attire while in PE class. 
• Students must wear WYWLA PE t-shirts or WYWLA spirit wear shirts in PE class.
• Students may wear navy blue mesh style gym shorts, solid black yoga pants, or solid navy fleece warm-up pants.
• Students must purchase WYWLA PE t-shirts from one of our approved vendors or WYWLA Spirit Shirts from PTSA. 
• Students may purchase mesh gym shorts from one of our vendors or from any retail store. 
• Shorts must be no shorter than 3 inches above top of the knee.
• Students may purchase yoga pants and fleece warm-up pants from any retail store.

GENERAL UNIFORM GUIDELINES

In addition to wearing specified uniform items, all WYWLA students are expected to adhere to the following dress code guidelines:

• Students must arrive and depart appropriately dressed in the required school uniform. Students will be required to correct uniform violations before entering the classrooms if they fail to meet established uniform guidelines.
• Students should not change out of school uniforms while on school buses. 
• Clothing must be sized appropriately to fit the student. 
• All uniform items must be clean, and in good condition.
• Alterations that change the original design of the clothing items are prohibited. Skirts, kilts, skorts, and shorts should not be hemmed more than three inches above the top of the knee. 
• Shirts and blouses must be tucked into bottoms.
• A plain, unembellished brown, navy, or black belt may be worn with pants and shorts and placed within belt loops on the waist of the pants. The width of the belt must range from 1-inch to 2-inches. Ornate belt buckles are prohibited.
• Undergarments that are worn underneath skirts, shirts or blouses should not be visible. This includes shorts that are worn under skirts.
• Students must remove hats, gloves, scarves, etc. upon entering any classroom.
• Non-religious headwear, hats, head scarves, or bandanas are prohibited. 
• Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building unless they are medically prescribed. 
• Hair accessories should follow uniform guidance. 
• Students may not have graffiti on shoes, backpacks, notebooks, etc. 
• Students representing WYWLA at any off-campus field trips are expected to be in uniform, unless directed by WYWLA staff to dress in other attire. 
• Students with religious requirements that do not meet these guidelines should contact the principal to discuss modifications. 
  
  

PURCHASE RECOMMENDATIONS

The following items are considered essential pieces to provide each student with a complete uniform set that allows for laundering, weather conditions, and special occasions or school trips: 

• Sweater, fleece jacket, or sweatshirt
• Long sleeve oxford shirt (may be required for certain school trips or when students represent WYWLA at special events)
• At least 2 polo shirts
• Plaid skirt (may be required for certain school trips or when students represent WYWLA at special events)
• At least 2 pairs of socks and/or 2 pairs of tights
• Shoes
• At least 1-2 other bottom pieces

VENDOR INFORMATION

Most uniform items must be purchased from the uniform vendor. Uniform vendors will not stock items that do not meet our uniform guidelines. Students may purchase pants, walking shorts, shoes, tights, and socks from any retail store or from the uniform vendor. Items purchased from retail stores will only be permitted if the color and style are consistent with options available through our vendors. Skirts may not be purchased from retail stores due the various styles, plaids, and inconsistencies.  We will also have spirit wear and winter wear items available for sale during the year. These items are optional and will meet uniform requirements. 

Target, Walmart, Land’s End, and Old Navy are a few retail stores that carry uniform items such as socks, tights, pants and shorts. Our approved vendor is listed below:

EARLY COLLEGE DRESS CODE

Early college students on the SAU campus will follow the WCPSS and SAU Dress Code Policies. SAU prohibits pajamas in class settings. Students may also be required to dress in professional attire for designated activities. 

BUYER BEWARE: The photos below are samples based on internet pictures. Actual items may vary in color and may be deemed inappropriate. Please make sure the color and style are consistent with the options provided by the uniform vendor. Skinny or tapered legs are not permitted. Patch pockets are not permitted. Before purchasing items from a retail store, review options provided by our vendor carefully to avoid purchasing unapproved items from retail stores.