With the ’24-’25 school year underway at Fresno Christian Schools, the student dress code was updated with the biggest change that girls are no longer allowed to wear leggings on campus.

This decision was not taken lightly. FCS staff considered the change over eight months. Middle School and High School Principal Amy Deffenbacher clarifies why the decision to revise the girl’s dress code was made.

“Ten years ago, when I became principal, the dress code was updated to allow for leggings/yoga pants, provided that shirts reached mid-thigh length and covered students’ bottoms,” Deffenbacher said. “After ten years of this expectation being unmet and increasing awkwardness for staff charged with holding students accountable, it was time to go back to no leggings.”

Although leggings are no longer permitted, girls are allowed to wear a variety of pant styles. Alternate clothing options for leggings include sweats, joggers, jeans and linen pants. After hearing the new rule, many students including Chloe Butler, ‘25, are saddened.

“It is a bummer when the school dress code prohibits us from wearing some of our favorite outfits,” Butler said. “I was really looking forward to wearing my favorite leggings, but now I cannot.”

Fresno Christian Schools values modesty and not drawing pretentious attention to oneself. The administration modeled the new rule after various Christian high schools across California, such as Immanuel High School. Along with FCS, many schools have implemented the same rule for the ‘24-‘25 school year. Hearing this made staff feel more confident in their decision.

The middle and high school Secondary Handbook is available to Fresno Christian families online. Although updated for more concise language, no other policies were changed aside from the addition of not allowing leggings. The rules explained in the handbook include prohibiting unnatural hair color, piercings, cropped shirts and parameters regarding the length of shorts.

Tycen Ramirez, ‘26, explains his experience with the dress code guideline for shorts. The protocol states that shorts must not exceed six inches above the knee. Ramirez is 6’6” and struggles to meet dress code requirements because of his height.

“On the first day of school, my teacher sent me to the office because my shorts were too short,” Ramirez said. “The length was supposedly an inch off of the required length. However, they were an eight-inch inseam. There are no shorts that would fit me properly and fit the school’s criteria.”

If dress code restrictions have been violated, the student will be told to change into proper dress code attire or the office advisor will give the student clothing to change into. Although Ramirez was technically out of dress code, he was not told to change his shorts upon further consideration by FCS staff.  The staff tries to be courteous to the students who are taller and who are not intentionally trying to break the rules.

Be sure to read the FCS Secondary Handbook for a more in-depth explanation of rules.

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