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Dress Code

Energy Institute Student Dress Code:

Student Presentation Dress Code: Students are required to wear professional dress on the day of a project presentation or exhibition. Students may wear an Energy issued polo shirt if approved by their teacher.

Field Experiences and Guest Speakers Dress Code: For special events (i.e. Cohort Exhibitions or field experiences) students are required to wear an Energy polo shirt, khaki or black pants, and closed toe shoes (closed toed shoes only when requested). Being out of special event dress may result in being removed from attending the event or participating in the event, depending on the field trip requirements. Find Energy attire at the PTO store here.

Daily Dress Code

Students are to dress appropriately for all school activities including in the classroom. Attire that violates the school policy, disrupts the educational process or jeopardizes the safety of others, is inappropriate. The dress code is always in effect while on-campus or while attending any HISD/EIHS sponsored event. Exceptions for special events will be explicitly communicated.

  • A school provided student ID must always be visible and worn around the neck on a lanyard. If a student has to get a temporary ID, it must be visible on the top portion of the front of their outer layer of clothing.
  • Clothing with hoods are permitted on-campus; however to ensure the safety and security of all, and in order to properly identify all individuals on campus, hoods must remain down on school grounds. This includes outside in the courtyard before school and during lunch/passing periods.  
  • Shorts, skirts, and dresses (including slits) can be no shorter than four inches above the knee, even with tights.
  • Students may not wear athletic tank tops, shorts, sweats, joggers, jeggings, leggings, tights, athletic or dance pants/shorts (mesh, dry-fit, cotton, sweatshirt material, etc.).
  • Clothing with holes, rips, or shredding is not permitted, even if skin is not showing. Tights, leggings, t-shirts, or tank tops underneath do not compensate for the holes.
  • Midriffs may not be visible. Shirts should overlap the pant waistband by 2-3 inches.
  • Shirts are not allowed to be tied in the back.
  • Clothing worn may not be backless and straps shown must be at least three inches wide.
  • Students may not wear clothing, jewelry, or personal items that:
    • Are pornographic, reference sexual content, contain threats, or promote illegal or violent conduct such as the unlawful use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or drug paraphernalia.
    • Demonstrate hate group association/affiliation and/or use hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or other protected groups;
    • Show private parts. Clothing must cover private parts in opaque (not able to be seen-through) material and undergarments must not be visible, or
    • Demonstrate gang association/affiliation
  • Slippers and pajama pants may not be worn at school. Stuffed animals, pillows, and blankets are not permitted on campus.
  • Headwear (hats, hoodies, sweatbands, bonnets, beanies, do-rags etc) is not permitted on campus. It must be placed out of sight (backpack) prior to entering campus. They are not permitted during lunch inside or outside in the courtyard.
  • Headbands and headwraps made from cloth that are appropriate in a professional setting are permitted. 
  • Sunglasses are not to be worn inside the school building.
  • Students may not wear slides or flip flops. All shoes must have a back strap. Students must wear closed toe shoes as requested by Energy staff for STEM labs. 
  • Student may NOT wear Crocs (or Croc like shoes)

Note: Energy Institute administration reserves the right to determine if a student is in violation of the dress code policy or in any other way inappropriate. Administrative decisions will be final. If it is determined that a student is out of dress code, the student may not attend classes until they are in dress code. Further disciplinary consequences may be used if students display inappropriate behavior.

Consequences for Violations of Dress Code:

(Consequences may vary based on the severity of the violation)

  • First offense: Student may be given the opportunity to change into appropriate clothes if he/she has some available. Parents will be notified. If a change of clothes is not available, parents will be asked to bring a change of clothes. The student will not return to class until they are in dress code. Students will be given a written warning and a parent will be contacted.
  • Second offense: Student may be given the opportunity to change into clothes if he/she has some available. If a change of clothes is not available, parents will be asked to bring a change of clothes. In addition to not returning to class, a parent will be contacted, and the student will be assigned detention.
  • Third offense: Student may be given the opportunity to change into clothes if he/she has some available. If a change of clothes is not available, parents will be asked to bring a change of clothes. The parent will be contacted. The student will receive two detentions. Repeated violations may result in a more severe response or referral to level two offense. If a student continues to violate the dress code policy, it may result in a suspension, further disciplinary consequences, and possibly a student’s transfer not being renewed.

Confiscated hats or hoodies must be picked up in the front office or from the students’ dean. For repeat offenses, a parent must come and pick up the item.  Any inappropriate clothing/accessories must be picked up by a parent. They will not be returned directly to the student.  At the end of the semester, any unclaimed items will be donated.

Energy Institute Technology Policy

To adhere to state law, the following expectations are in place: 

  • No listening devices (headphones, airpods/earbuds, bluetooth speakers, etc.) may be visible or used during the school day. This starts at 7:20 am and ends at 3:05 pm, including passing periods and lunch.
  • Cell phones cannot be visible or used during the school day. If a student brings a cell phone to school, it must remain off and in the student's backpack throughout the day. This starts at 7:20 am and ends at 3:05 pm including passing periods and lunch.
  • Personal tablets, laptops, video game devices (or any other electronic device capable of digital communication) is strictly prohibited during the school day on all HISD campuses. 

Consequences for Violations of Technology Policy:

HISD POLICY

Updated Policy - January 2026

If phones, smart watches, tablets, personal laptops, or any other communication devices are visible, they will be collected by an Energy staff member. 

In addition students will be disciplined according to the Houston ISD student handbook.

Houston ISD has communicated an update to the electronic device consequences. All students are starting the semester with a clean slate. 

Review of policy:

Houston ISD values a safe and distraction-free learning environment. In accordance with House Bill 1481, all Texas public schools will implement a "no personal communication device" rule during the school day. As a result, students will not be permitted to use personal devices on school property during school (7:20 AM until 3:05 PM including lunch time and passing periods). Students cannot use cell phones, smart watches, tablets, other laptops, headphones with or without wires, earbuds, etc. Devices should be turned off and placed in their backpacks before entering the building. Devices should not be seen or heard and should not be in students' pockets. 

Consequences:

Please review these consequences with your student so that everyone understands what happens when the policy is not followed.

1st offense - Device is confiscated until the end of the school day. Parent or guardian must pick-up after school.

2nd offense - Device is confiscated for 7 full school days. Parent or guardian must pick-up after school.

3rd offense - Device is confiscated for 14 full school days. Parent or guardian must pick-up after school.

4th offense - Device is confiscated for 30 full school days. Parent or guardian must pick-up after school. 

5th offense - DAEP (alternative school) placement. If there is an infraction at DAEP, the home campus will confiscate the device for the remainder of the semester.

*If a student is not compliant, additional consequences will apply.

Starting on the second offense, parents or guardians have two options - (1) keep the device at home for the duration of the confiscation period or (2) for the device to remain on campus for the consequence period. If the parents opts to take the device home and the student brings it back during the confiscation period, the phone will be confiscated, extended to the next level of offense, and must remain on campus until the end of the confiscation period.

  
   
   

Further offenses will result in elevated formal disciplinary action, as outlined in the HISD Student Code of Conduct. HISD will not be held responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged devices confiscated due to the violation of the law and district policy.