School Uniforms at LCS.

What’s
Behind it all?
Originating in the 16th Century, school uniforms have been
around for sometime.

By: Addi Wilson

School uniforms aren’t a new thing. The first recorded use of standardized dress in education
may have been in England in 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated that students
wear robe-like outfits called the “cappa clausa.” The origin of the modern school uniform can be
traced to 16th century England, when the impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ’s
Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along
with yellow stockings. And you thought our uniforms were bad? However, when Christ Hospital
surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms.

It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that school uniforms began making their appearance in the
United States. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that require uniforms
jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-2018 school year. School
uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle
schools (18%), and high schools (10%). Among the US cities with the highest use of school
uniforms in public schools are Philadelphia (100% of schools), New Orleans (95%), Cleveland
(85%), Chicago (80%), Boston (65%), and Miami (60%).

While there are many arguments for and against school uniforms, for the purpose of this
article I will only highlight a few. The first argument for the use of uniforms in school is for
safety reasons. Uniforms make it easier for school staff to identify who is on school campus. In
my interview with our principal, Dr. Felder, she also stated that one of the main reasons for
deciding on going to a uniform policy is to keep students safe. Another main argument for
school uniforms is peer pressure and bullying is reduced. With the uniforms kids don’t have to
worry about having trendy and expensive clothes or feel the pressure of thinking that that’s what
they are supposed to have. When asked, Dr. Felder stated that students may express themselves
through accessory items such as bracelets, socks, and shoes.
 On the other hand, arguments against school uniform policies that you commonly hear
are that uniforms restrict students freedom of expression and individuality. While some freedom
of expression may be reduced in all uniform policies, the LCS uniform policy seems to allow
more color combinations than most. Including the ability to wear a wide range of different
shoes, socks, and bracelets.

When I first learned about the school uniform policy, I wasn’t really thrilled. However,
now that we are several months in, I now appreciate that it keeps us safe and helps us focus on
our academics.

Works Cited

Meleen, Michele. “History of School Uniforms.” LoveToKnow,

https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/kids/history-school-uniforms. Accessed 18

October 2023.

“Pro and Con: School Uniforms.” Encyclopedia Britannica | Britannica, 3 May 2021,

https://britanntica.com. Accessed 18 October 2023.

“Uniforms, School.” Encyclopedia.com | Free Online Encyclopedia,

https://encyclopedia.com. Accessed 18 October 2023.