Discipline

One of the reasons we parents send out children to private school is discipline. We have grown concerned about our children being in large classes where the teachers spend much of their teaching time dealing with discipline issues. That's not the education environment we want for our children. We want them to go to school to learn in a safe, supportive environment where they can learn.

As you investigate private schools at any level, review how the schools handle discipline. Because each private school is a stand-alone entity, how it approaches the matter of discipline will vary from school to school. Be ready for that. How a school handles discipline is one of many factors which will influence your choice of schools.

What is a code of conduct?

Discipline in private schools generally begins with a code of conduct. A code of conduct is a document which has been produced by the school administration and approved by the board of trustees or other governing body. The code of conduct is generally read and signed by parents and students at the time of admission to the school. It becomes part of the contract between student, parents and the school which governs your attendance at the school. Since you have already agreed to the school's code of conduct beforehand, when you commit an infraction of the code, you will be disciplined accordingly.

It will be difficult

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

More and more private schools are adopting dress codes as opposed to uniforms. You will still find uniforms in religious, parochial, and military schools. Perhaps the most famous school uniform is the one worn by boys at Eton College. While it is still worn every day, the uniforms worn in American schools are a lot less formal if, indeed, a uniform is worn at all.

One of the reasons a dress code is more popular is that it gives some modicum of self-expression while at the same time maintaining a standard of dress. Oversized clothing, all-black outfits, extreme hairstyles, and other symbols of gangs and fringe activities are simply not allowed.

Private school dress requirements continue to vary widely in 2026. Some schools prescribe specific uniform pieces, while others establish general standards for clothing and appearance. Families comparing schools should review the current student handbook before purchasing clothing because individual requirements can change from year to year. Private School Review's Private School Dress Codes: 2026 Guide for Families provides additional information about current approaches to uniforms, standardized dress, and dress codes.

Typical Dress Code Example

This dress code from Foxcroft School is typical of the sort of dress code you can expect at a girls' school.

For the 2026-27 school year, new Foxcroft students are required to have a white polo with the school crest and either a