Uniforms

Aspen Students wear uniforms because:

  • Uniforms increase school spirit and community by fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the school.
  • Uniforms increase campus safety and security: our administration/teachers can easily identify students or strangers who are not in uniform.
  • Uniforms increase acceptance for all students: we place an emphasis on “who you are” and not “what you wear”. Uniforms help to eliminate elitism. No one student is “better” because of what he or she wears.
  • Uniforms help students come with a mindset for work. It is Aspen’s belief that a student’s education is their “job,” and that they should dress for work, not play.
  • Uniforms improve academics. There is a reduction of time spent on discipline – and increase time for teaching. Aspen stresses “books”, not “looks”.

We expect Aspen students to be in uniform during school hours and on field trips unless otherwise notified.

Please see the Uniform Regulations form for more detailed information.  We ask families to please label their items it will help return lost clothing to your student. Thank you!

 

Uniform Guidelines for 2023/2024 (updated 7/22)

(PDF Download)

Uniform Vendors:

**Donald’s Uniforms is a local brick and mortar store that most of our uniform items, including our approved plaid.  They are located in St. Paul and Eden Prairie.  Donald’s Uniform Preferred Card Flyer**

Our Evergreen tops still can only be found  at Lands’ End.

 

Optional Spirit Wear:

**Information coming for 23/24

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Aspen Academy’s uniform colors?

Evergreen, black or white for polo shirts, turtlenecks and sweaters; khaki or black for pants, shorts, skorts and skirts; girls may also choose to wear green plaid jumpers or skorts or skirts.

Where can I buy Aspen uniform items?

Most items can be purchased at local departments stores (Kohls, Target, Walmart, JC Penny, etc.) Lands’ End is the only vendor that carries our approved green.  Schoolbelles and Donalds Uniform carries our plaid.  There is no red/yellow in our plaid.

How do I know which green to order?

Land’s End is the ONLY approved vendor for green colored polo shirts and sweaters. We call this color Evergreen.

What if what I order now doesn’t fit my child come August?

We recommend you keep all tags and shipping materials intact and consult the vendor in the event you need an exchange. All our vendors have excellent return and exchange policies for non-monogrammed items.

Do I need to monogram tops with the Aspen Academy logo?

No, monogramming shirts and sweaters with the Aspen Academy logo is optional but can be done by Donald’s Uniforms (on white), Schoolbelles (on white), or Lands’ End (on both Evergreen and white) for a small additional fee.

What if the polo shirt has a small animal or flower embroidered on it, is this okay?

No. The ONLY accepted logo is the Aspen Academy logo.

Does the school recommend one vendor over another?

No. Aspen Academy does not endorse any one vendor; however, the school will receive back a percentage of total sales from Land’s End.

Can my child wear his/her white oxford shirt that buttons up the front?

No. The approved tops for boys and girls are polo style shirts with a fold-over square or rounded collar as detailed in the School Uniform Regulations.

Can the girls wear Capri pants?

No. Capri pants are not an accepted pant style, there are simply too many style variations with that pant length.

My child has a white cardigan that has a hood, is this acceptable?

No. We do not allow hoods on any sweaters per the dress code. While some vendors may have hooded sweater available in the Aspen colors, they are not an approved item. Please refer to the School Uniform Regulations for additional information.

Which items are not acceptable as part of the school uniform?

As per the uniform policy, policy number 504, items that students should not wear to school include:

  • Outdoor wear including hats and caps and boots.
  • Ripped or torn clothing
  • Cargo pants, jeans, corduroys or sweatpants
  • Skirts/skorts/jumpers that do not extend a minimum of 1 inch past the fingertips when arms are at the side
  • Obtrusive hair accessories or jewelry
  • Any apparel or footwear that may damage school property

My child is often cold in school. Can they wear a sweatshirt or sweater to stay warm?

Clothing worn at school needs to be uniform approved. We have lots of green, black, and white sweaters to choose from through our vendors. Aspen logo sweatshirts are for Spirit Wear Days only.

What days is it acceptable for students to wear Spirit Wear?

For the 2023-2024 school year, spirit wear is on Wednesdays.

What can students wear during Phy Ed time?

We give Middle School students time to change into appropriate exercise clothes before class.  Appropriate clothing items are dark shorts, tennis shoes, and a T-shirt.  As with other times of the day, we do not allow students to wear yoga pants, short/cut off tops, and other items listed as unacceptable.