High schools dressing up dress codes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Less skin. Cover up the underwear, and get some sleeves. Most Albuquerque schools have rules on what kids can wear, but three high schools are getting serious about how students should dress for school.

APS says Volcano Vista, Eldorado and La Cueva will now require students to wear shirts with sleeves.

"There are many things high school students learn that are not in the textbooks, and part of that is how to dress professionally," said Volcano Vista Principal Shelly Green. They're trying to get students ready for the workforce, and dressing appropriately is part of that, she added.

At all APS schools, the "pants on the ground" look is not allowed. Neither are shirts that don't cover the midriff nor shirts with straps, halter tops and low-cut shirts or shorts.

But now if a student at Volcano Vista shows up in a shirt without sleeves, the school will notify parents then loan the student a T-shirt with sleeves.

"As a student it doesn't affect me that much, and I think it looks classier and it doesn't affect after-hours," said student Makenzie Hamilton.

Green said so far she has only received one complaint from a parent about the new dress code. Things like basketball jerseys will still be allowed if students wear T-shirts under them, she said.