School Uniforms

Telra Institute recognizes the benefit that dress code and uniform standards have in creating a distraction-free environment for learning and in contributing to school identity and spirit. In establishing our dress code, we strive to strike a balance between safety, simplicity, and flexibility. We aim for a common style and standard while allowing parents the freedom to use the vendors of their choice for convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Dress Code Principles

Support active kids

Children will be physically active every day. Ensure clothing, shoes, and accessories are safe and appropriate for kids running, playing, and jumping.

​

Minimize distraction

• All clothing items (with the exception of shoes and coats for outside wear) must be solid colored and free of patterns, graphics, logos, or text.

• No make-up, visible tattoos, or glitter allowed. Hair and nail polish allowed in natural colors only.

​

Reinforce pride in self and in school
All clothing must be neat, clean, well-fitting, and in good condition (no holes or rips). Outfit components must follow the style, length, and color standards.

Standards

The basic Telra uniform is a solid colored polo top and neutral-colored dress bottoms (specific colors described below). Various combinations are possible, and parents may purchase uniform components from any vendor. While general guidelines are provided here, we understand no set of dress code standards will address every scenario. In the event of doubt, the school Principal is charged with interpreting and enforcing these standards.

Step 1: Required Basics

Pants

Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. No jogger style. Neat cargo pockets ok.

Length: Full-length to ankle (no capris, should not drag on ground)

​

Color: Telra neutrals

Shorts & Skirts

Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. Neat cargo pockets ok. Skorts ok. Modesty shorts required under skirts.

Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee

​

Color: Telra neutrals

Shirts

Polo-style cotton or synthetic collared shirts. No puff sleeves. Standard collars - no peter pan collars or decorative stitching.

​

Length: Long sleeve or short sleeve. Tucked in for grades 2+

​

Color: Classic and Graded colors

Dresses

Polo-style, one-piece collared dresses (short or long-sleeve) over modesty shorts

​

Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee

​

Color: Classic and Graded colors

Step 2: Optional Layers

Top layers

sweaters, vests, cardigans, zip ups, sweatshirts

Fleece or tightly knit or woven fabric, without a hood. Must be worn over an approved shirt or dress

​

Length: Waist/hip length or above (no long sweaters)

​

Color: Telra neutrals, Classic, or Graded colors

Jumpers

Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. Must be worn over approved shirt and modesty shorts.

​

Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee

​

Color: Telra neutrals

Sub-layers

undershirts, camisoles, turtlenecks

Permitted if worn underneath approved shirt or dress

​

Length: Tuck in if needed to ensure hem not visible

​

Color: Classic or Graded colors + white

Tights or Leggings

Permitted if worn underneath approved bottoms  or dress

​

Length: Full-length to ankle

​

Color: Telra neutrals, white, navy, or a Classic or Graded color that matches the top

Step 3: Footwear

Sneakers / tennis shoes

Solid or patterned, but nothing distracting (no lights, charms, sequins, etc.)

​

Style: Toes must be enclosed and no high tops permitted. No Natives, Keens, Crocs, etc.

​

Color: No neon colors

Dress shoes, heels, boots

Not allowed - However, students may wear weather-appropriate boots to-from school or for recess on rainy/snowy days if they change into tennis shoes once inside.

Sandals, Crocs,  flip flops, Natives, Keens, anything with open toes or tops

Not allowed

Socks

Subtle logos ok

Color: Telra neutrals, white, or black

Step 4: Accessories

Belts

Not required, but functional belts may be worn with pants, shorts, or skirts that have belt loops. 

​

Color: Black, brown, or Telra neutral

Jewelry

Light, stud earrings permitted. No necklaces, watches, or bracelets.

Headwear

Hats, bandanas, or other head coverings are not allowed indoors. Thin headbands (solid colors and minimalistic) ok for hair retention

Step 5: Outerwear

Colors

Classic Colors

Commonly-available classic colors can be part of the uniform for all Telra students. We want to ensure families have ready access to affordable uniform components online or in-store.

Examples of approved Classic Colors by brand or retailer:

Children's Place - navy (nautico, tidal), red (ruby, classic red), light blue (daybreak, brook), pink (sparklpink)

Land's End - navy (classic navy), red, light blue (blue), pink (ice pink)

Cat & Jack - navy, red, light blue, pink

French Toast - navy, light blue

Old Navy - navy (ink blue, dark sea blue), red (red tape, robbie red), light blue (monet blue, something blue), pink (preppy pink, puffy pink)

GAP - navy (crayon true indigo, true indigo), red (modern red, ruby red), light blue (Hampton blue, pure blue)

​

Graded Colors

In addition, we “unlock” additional Telra colors for students to wear as they mature and progress through the school. This becomes a fun way for students to memorialize advancing in grades and it helps establish grade-band community. We ask that each child have at least one shirt or dress in their grade-band Telra color to wear for class pictures or other special events.

Examples of approved Graded Colors by brand or retailer:

The Children's Place - flame

Land's End - teal breeze, orange spice

French Toast - teal

Old Navy - orange surfboards

Cherokee - teal, orange

Wonder Nation - teal, orange

​

Telra Neutrals

All grades may wear Telra neutrals—medium gray and khaki—for pants, shorts, skirts, and jumpers.

Examples of approved Telra Neutrals by brand or retailer:

The Children's Place - medium gray (storm, gray steel), khaki (sandwash), avoid: flax and fin gray

Land's End - medium gray (gray, arctic gray), khaki, avoid: charcoal heather

Cat & Jack - medium gray (charcoal gray), khaki (khaki, light khaki, beige)

French Toast - khaki

Old Navy - khaki (rolled oats, khaki, shore enough), avoid: earl gray

GAP - medium gray (grey), khaki (wicker, beige, khaki)

Primary - slate gray

Masks

Any child-appropriate patterns or colors are acceptable. Please avoid text.

Spiritwear

School-branded clothing will be available in the future. Vendor lists and policies for wearing spiritwear as part of a uniform are forthcoming.

We never want financial constraints to prevent a child from taking advantage of the unique education that Telra can provide.

Click here if you need some help in purchasing a school wardrobe for your child or if you would like to be a Uniform Angel and support another family.