Why We Updated Our Uniform Policy to Better Meet the Needs of Families
From Moira Sallade, Principal of Rise Academy
At Rise Academy, we’re always looking for ways to support our students and families in real, practical ways. Sometimes that means rethinking things that have “always been done this way,” like our school uniform policy.
When I first came to Rise, our policy required students to wear blue, black, or khaki dress pants with closed-toed shoes. On Fridays, they had “free dress” to express their personal style. It seemed simple and straightforward, until I started to notice how often students were coming to school in pants outside of those dress-code guidelines.
So I started asking questions.
Parents shared that dress pants were expensive, hard to find, and often out of stock. And with how quickly kids grow, keeping up with uniform requirements could become a real financial strain. Several families also mentioned that jeans were a much more affordable and accessible option.
That’s when it clicked for me. If something as simple as a pair of jeans could make it easier for students to show up confidently and comfortably, why wouldn’t we make that change?
It wasn’t hard to adjust the policy once I understood the “why.” My goal is always to prioritize the needs of our kids and families. And honestly, if professionals across industries—even in corporate settings—can make jeans look polished and professional, why not our students?
Now, our updated policy allows jeans as part of the standard uniform. It’s a small shift that has made a big difference for families.
We’ve also kept other supports in place to make things easier. Every student receives three branded polos and a sweatshirt at the start of the school year because we know how quickly uniform costs can add up. Providing those items helps level the playing field so every student can start the year prepared and proud to represent Rise.
And the best part? The kids actually like the uniforms! Even when I offer dress-down passes, many of them choose to stay in their polos and sweatshirts. (Honestly, they’d rather have candy anyway.)
This change wasn’t just about jeans. It’s about listening—really listening—to our families and making decisions that reflect our commitment to accessibility, dignity, and care.
Moira Sallade
Principal
