7.1 Dress Code Guidelines & Uniform Requirements

Chapter 5 Human Resources > Section 7 Uniforms

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview/Purpose
• Policy Effective Date:
• 7.1.1 General Dress Code Guidelines
• 7.1.2 Teachers Uniform Requirements
• 7.1.3 Field Leadership and School Management Dress Code Requirements
• 7.1.4 Corporate Personnel Dress Code Requirements
• 7.1.5 Facilities Personnel and Facilities Leadership Dress Code Requirements
• 7.1.6 Casual - Jean Fridays and Spirit Days
• 7.1.7 Enforcement & Accountability
• 7.1.8 General Disclaimer:

Overview/Purpose

All COA employees represent the company through both their appearance and behavior. Clear, consistent guidelines and uniform standards across the organization help maintain a cohesive, branded image that reflects our professional education values. A uniform and professional appearance is expected at all times and should support a positive learning environment while aligning with our general dress code and the specific uniform requirements of each department or business unit.

Policy Effective Date:

Effective Date: February 2, 2026
(Applies to all COA employees across Home Office, School Leadership, and School-Based Teaching Staff) This policy applies to all full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, and substitute employees working at any COA school or corporate offices, including those working out of remote offices.

7.1.1 General Dress Code Guidelines

These general guidelines are designed to outline standards that apply to all regardless of their department, business unit or school specific requirements outlined herein. 

General Dress Code Guidelines: 

1. Professional Appearance:
   • Employees should dress in a manner that is both comfortable, professional and in line with their respective department’s dress code requirements. 
   • All employees must arrive at work neat, clean, and well-groomed, reflecting a uniform image appropriate for an educational environment or the environment they primarily work in.
2. Hair, Nails and Grooming:
   • Hair must be naturally colored, neatly styled and pulled away from the face.
   • Facial hair must be neatly groomed and not exceed 1 inch in length. Eccentric styles are not permitted.
   • Nails should be clean, short, neat, and well-manicured. Pointed, claw like or heavily decorated nails or exotic colors are prohibited.  If you cannot clench your fist comfortably, your nails are too long. 
   • Makeup should be worn in moderation to maintain a professional appearance.
   • Employees should maintain personal clean hygiene and free of bodily odor. 
   • Perfumes and scented products should be worn sparingly due to allergies and sensitivities.  
3. Jewelry and Accessories:
   • Generally, jewelry should be minimal and professional. Dangling earrings or excessive ear piercings, nose rings or facial piercings/studs are prohibited. 
   • This standard is established to support child safety, including minimizing potential choking, pulling, or injury risks, and to maintain a professional, family-centered environment.
4. Tattoos: 
   • Employees may not have any visible tattoos on the face, neck, hands, or chest line.   Tattoos below the elbow (such as the forearm, or wrist), or permitted elsewhere, must be small, non-graphic, and professional in appearance. 
     1. Tattoos that do not meet these requirements, including “sleeve” style tattoos must be covered. 
   • Tattoos containing, sexual, violent, divisive, or otherwise offensive or inappropriate imagery or language are strictly prohibited, and COA may require any tattoo to be covered if it is deemed unprofessional.
5. COA SWAG
   • COA Swag purchased or obtained through approved channels like “The Swag Store” or other events like the Leadership Summit may be worn at work as long as it is understood that not all items can be substituted for required uniform.
   • Outerwear (jackets, pullovers, cardigans, or similar) for example are not designed to replace your uniform.  Branded shirts are substitutable. 
6. Special Events
   • Special events may permit variations of the above policy, including Spirit Days, Casual - Jean Friday, field trips or community events.  
   • Please speak to your school management for clarification on these events and remember the spirit of our uniform policy must always be upheld; branded and professional. 
7. Remote Hybrid Employees:
   • Employees working remote or while using hybrid work schedule are subject to the core team’s dress code requirements regardless of locale. 

7.1.2 Teachers Uniform Requirements

Teachers have a required uniform that is designed to be on brand, comfortable, and practical to ensure a professional appearance, that reflects our brand and educational standards. Attire should reflect a professional learning environment and align with uniform guidelines outlined below.  

Teacher Uniform Requirements:

1. Tops:
   • Teachers are required to wear company issued, branded polo uniform tops, unless otherwise approved for special events.
   • Uniform tops must be always tucked in.
2. Jackets and Outerwear:
   • Approved branded COA outerwear found on the ‘Swag Store’ is permissible. Non-COA branded outwear must meet the following criteria:
     1. Jackets, pullovers, fleeces, sweaters must be solid in color, preferably, black, navy, white, brown.
     2. Any logos visible should be no larger than a business card.  
   • Hooded sweaters are strictly prohibited. Hooded jackets while prohibited indoors, are acceptable during winter months while outside.
3. Headwear:
   • While hats, beanies, and other common headwear are not permitted, during cold weather appropriate headwear is permitted while outdoors in winter months.
4. Pants/bottoms:
   • Teachers are required to wear slacks, chinos, dress pants, knee length skirts or walking shorts that are black, navy blue, or khaki.
   • Athletic wear, including yoga, spandex pants or sweatpants are not permitted. Jeans, while prohibited, may be worn for Casual-Jean Friday, or approved special events.
5. Shoes and footwear:
   • Teachers are required to wear closed-toe (and back) shoes or sneakers that are well fitted (and tied) and have proper tread. Protective “Booties” are required for all Infant and Toddler rooms, as applicable.
   • Crocs, heels, sandals, slippers, slides, “house shoes”, Ugg Boots, and multicolored shoes/sneakers are prohibited.
6. Name Badges:
   • Company issued name badges must be always worn and clearly visible for identification and security purposes.

7.1.3 Field Leadership and School Management Dress Code Requirements

Field Leadership and school management personnel are expected to always maintain a professional appearance that reflects our brand and educational standards.  Attire should reflect a professional learning environment and align with Business Professional guidelines outlined below.  Not applicable to facilities teams see section: 7.1.5 Facilities Personnel and Facilities Leadership Dress Code Requirements

Field Leadership and School Management Dress Code Requirements:

1. Tops: 
   • Field Leadership and School Management are required to wear button-down collared dress shirts, sweaters, or blouses unless otherwise approved for special events. 
   • Females’ blouses or dresses should cover the shoulders and should be of appropriate cut around the chest and neck. 
   • All tops, designed to be tucked in, should be tucked in 
2. Jackets/Outerwear:
   • Males are required to wear jackets or blazers if a tie is not worn.
   • With a tie, suitable outerwear includes pullovers, fleeces, or vests.
3. Headwear:
   • While hats, beanies, and other common headwear are not permitted, during cold weather appropriate headwear is permitted while outdoors in winter months.
4. Pants/Bottoms:
   • Field leadership and school management are required to wear slacks, chinos, dress pants, skirts, or dresses of modest length in neutral professional colors. Jeans, while prohibited, may be worn for Casual-Jean Friday, or approved special events.
5. Shoes Footwear:
   • Dress shoes, hybrid dress shoes or (example: Cole Haan) or dress sneakers, flats or moderate heels are preferred.  Closed-toed shoes are always required when in the field. We are looking for professional meets practical. 
6. Name Badges: 
   • Company issued name badges must be always worn and clearly visible for identification and security purposes.

7.1.4 Corporate Personnel Dress Code Requirements

Corporate office personnel are expected to always maintain a professional appearance supporting a comfortable and productive work environment, that reflects our brand and educational standards. Attire should reflect a professional corporate work environment and align with Business casual guidelines outlined below.  

Corporate Personnel and Hybrid/Remote Employees Dress Code Requirements:

1. Tops: 
   • Corporate personnel are required to wear button-down collared dress shirts, collared shirts, sweaters, or blouses unless otherwise approved for special events. 
   • Females’ blouses or dresses should cover the shoulders and should be of appropriate cut around the chest and neck. 
   • All tops, designed to be tucked in, should be tucked in.  “Cabana” button downs or “Untuckit” style shirts are acceptable left untucked. 
2. Jackets and Outerwear:
   • Business appropriate jackets or outerwear including, pullovers, sports coats, blazers, cardigans are permitted. 
3. Headwear:
   • While hats, beanies, and other common headwear are not permitted in our corporate office environment, while traveling in the field during cold weather appropriate headwear is permitted while outdoors in winter months.
4. Pants/Bottoms:
   • Corporate personnel are required to wear slacks, chinos, dress pants, skirts, or dresses of modest length in neutral professional colors. Jeans, while prohibited, may be worn for Casual-Jean Friday, or approved special events. 
5. Shoes Footwear:
   • Dress shoes, hybrid dress shoes or (example: Cole Haan) or dress sneakers, flats or moderate heels are preferred.  Closed-toed shoes, while optional in a non-school setting, are always required when in the field. We are looking for professional meets practical. 
6. Name Badges: 
   • Company issued name badges must be always worn for identification and security purposes while in the field or at corporate gatherings.

7.1.5 Facilities Personnel and Facilities Leadership Dress Code Requirements

Facilities personnel have a required uniform that is designed to be on brand, practical and safe to ensure a professional appearance, that reflects our brand and company standards. Attire should reflect a professional work environment and align with uniform guidelines outlined below.  

Facilities Personnel and Facilities Leadership Dress Code Requirements:

1. Tops:
   • Facilities personnel are required to wear company issued, branded polo uniform tops, unless otherwise approved for special events.
   • Uniform tops must be always tucked in.
2. Jackets and Outerwear:
   • Approved, fleeces, hoodies and jackets can be worn complementary to branded polo uniform tops, not in place of.
3. Headwear:
   • When worn, COA Hats, Beanies, and OSHA approved Hard Hats are required.
4. Pants/bottoms:
   • Facilities Personnel are required to wear proper fitting, jeans, cargo pants or chinos in denim blue, black, grey, beige or tan. Shorts, while not permitted may be allowed in rare instances, such as heat advisories.
   • Pants/bottoms materials must be abrasion resistant. Athletic wear including yoga, spandex or polyester pants, sweatpants or gym shorts are not permitted.
5. Shoes and footwear:
   • Facilities personnel are required to wear work boots that are well fitted (and tied) and have proper tread.
   • Casual shoes/sneakers are prohibited.
6. Name Badges:
   • Company issued name badges must be always worn for identification and security purposes.

Facilities Leadership may alternate between professional dress standards for Field Leadership and School Management and the standards outlined above.

7.1.6 Casual - Jean Fridays and Spirit Days

With FUN being a core principle that drives our business we recognize that we need to build in flexibility for all departments and locations to enjoy Casual – Jean Fridays and even Spirit Days as appropriate.

Please follow the following guidelines:

1. Casual Jean Friday’s
   • Fridays are designated Casual - Jean Days for all employees across the company provided they understand that 7.1.1 General Dress Code Guidelines always apply and if applicable uniform tops, jackets and outerwear, headwear, shoes and footwear, and name badges are required they must be worn as required by position.
     1. Notes:
        1. For most positions employees essentially substituting the “Pants/bottoms requirements for jeans, meaning all other aspects of your uniform requirements must be upheld.  
        2. Shirts do not need to be tucked in. 
        3. Jeans should be in good condition and uniform in color and appearance; no rips, tears, eccentric styling; including patching or designs insignia.
2. Spirit Days
   • These are themed based days that require leadership approval, i.e., Executive Director, Corporate Leadership, etc.

7.1.7 Enforcement & Accountability

All employees are required to always comply with the company’s Dress Code Guidelines and Uniform Requirements while performing their job duties. Compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and is necessary to maintain a professional appearance, ensure safety, and promote a consistent workplace standard.

Failure to adhere to the Uniform and Dress Code Policy will result in corrective action. Disciplinary actions will be administered in accordance with COA’s established disciplinary procedures which may include the Standardized Discipline (SDI) process and/or progressive discipline, as applicable based on the employee’s position and department within the company.

For full dress code guidelines, refer to the COA Employee Handbook.

7.1.8 General Disclaimer:

COA recognizes and respects cultural, religious, and medical practices that may affect hair color, texture, or styling. Furthermore, we do not discriminate and will reasonably accommodate modifications or adaptations to this uniform policy for medical, religious, or other reasons protected under federal, state, or local law.

Please speak to a member of management or Human Resources (employeecare@coa.co) if you have additional questions.