School uniforms

Palmetto Christian Academy is developing a school uniform policy that will be fashionable and will still maintain a sense of discipline and moderation. Many children would choose to wear similar clothes even without such a policy. Our uniform plans include a variety of solid colored polo shirts, and khaki or blue pants, shorts, or skirts. We will have examples at our open house tomorrow!

School uniforms can be controversial. Parents may have mixed feelings. Younger students usually accept them without concern. Older students may not like them. Research on the benefits of school uniforms has provided mixed results. The various study methods have been subject to criticism. However, professional educators have generally demonstrated support for school uniforms, and parents have benefited from the reduced cost of clothing for their children through uniform policies.

A survey of 755 principals by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in 2000 demonstrated that educators recognize positive effects of having a school uniform policy in the following areas:
The school’s image in the community
Classroom discipline
Peer pressure
School spirit
Concentration on schoolwork
Student safety

If your child resists attending a school with a uniform policy, we would recommend helping them to see that making decisions for their education is a parental responsibility that they can learn to accept. This may be an area in which your children could grow in maturity as they accept parental decisions about which school is best for them to attend.