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 stripes, patterns, graphics, logos, or text.
-
No visible tattoos or glitter allowed.
-
Hair should be natural - no coloring, wigs, or visible inserts such as fairy hair
-
Subtle make-up or nail polish colors ok, but should be free of symbols or designs.
-
No recording or communication devices. This means no cell phones or smart watches.
​
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. The school style is simple and understated. Indeed, attire at Telra should not make a statement.
Dress code standards
You can read up on all the details of the dress code standards below, but if you'd prefer an audio explanation (and don't mind a little silliness), have a listen here. Queue it up on a car ride with your kids.
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, reach out to frontdesk@telra.org for assistance in interpreting these standards.
Telra Uniform Storefronts
To take the guesswork out of shopping, we've hand selected items and colors from high quality uniform vendors lines of apparel. When you shop at the links below, you know that the items comply with Telra's dress code standards.
Telra's School Code for French Toast: QS61ANV
Lands' End offers Telra uniforms and spirit wear
Step 1: Required Basics
Pants
Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. No athletic or jogger pants. 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: Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink.
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: Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink.
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; Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink.
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: Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, and light pink; white.
Tights or Leggings
Permitted if worn underneath approved bottoms or dress
​
Length: Full-length to ankle
​
Color: White; Telra neutrals; Telra blue or orange; navy, red, light blue, or light pink.
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
Solid, but 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 or small nose stud permitted, but no other facial piercings or hoops. A light necklace is permitted if tucked under the uniform top, A single bracelet or watch on each wrist is ok, but should not be excessively large or dangling. Smooth and non-bulky rings are ok. These restrictions minimize the risk of injuries during recess and PE.
Headwear
Hats, bandanas, or other head coverings are not allowed indoors. Thin headbands (solid colors and minimalistic) are ok for hair retention
Step 5: Outerwear
No restrictions on coats or other outerwear when worn outside. Any length. Any color.
Just ensure there are no school-inappropriate images or language.
Colors
School Colors & Classics
Telra blue and orange, as well as 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 color names by brand/retailer:
French Toast: teal, orange or sun orange, navy, red, light blue, light pink
Children's Place: orange (flame), navy (nautico, tidal), red (ruby, classic red), light blue (daybreak, brook), light pink (sparklpink)
Lands' End: navy (classic navy), red, light blue (blue), light pink (ice pink), orange (orange spice)
Cat & Jack: navy, red, light blue, light pink
Old Navy: orange (orange surfboards), navy (ink blue, dark sea blue), red (red tape, robbie red), light blue (monet blue, something blue), light pink (preppy pink, puffy pink)
GAP: navy (crayon true indigo, true indigo), red (modern red, ruby red), light blue (Hampton blue, pure blue)
​
Telra Neutrals
All grades may wear Telra neutrals—medium gray and khaki—for pants, shorts, skirts, and jumpers. Note - navy and black are not approved Telra neutral colors.
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
Lands' End: medium gray (gray, arctic gray), khaki, avoid: charcoal heather
Cat & Jack: medium gray (charcoal gray), khaki (khaki, light khaki, beige)
French Toast: gray, heather gray, 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
Telra spirit wear is available from multiple locations so that you can showcase your Telra spirit around town or around the world! Note that spirit wear is not an approved substitute for a uniform, however it may be worn on designated dress down days.
-
Seasonal store (orders fulfilled monthly)
-
On-demand store (select "spiritwear" on the “select grade / status” pull down to see the styles available)
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.