Why We Dress for Success

Dress can be a sensitive subject for teenagers. In one of his video blogs, Headmaster Brad Rogers shared why he believes in dressing for success, and why the uniform is part of life at Gow.

Four Reasons for a Uniform

Mr. Rogers respects personal choice and expression, and he knows plenty of adults dress casually for work. He also believes that some settings call for specific clothing, and that students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences benefit from structure and a sense of purpose. He sees four reasons for a uniform and dress code:

• Unity. A uniform creates a sense of togetherness.
• Pride. How we dress is tied to how we feel about ourselves.
• Work mode. Clothes signal what comes next. We dress differently for bed, for a game, for a hike, or for prom. A blazer, collared shirt, and tie signal that it is time to work.
• Purpose. What we wear can show that we know why we are here.

A Teacher's Tie

Mr. Rogers admits he wore some unconventional clothes in college. As he grew into his work as an educator, he came to see a teacher as a mentor, not a friend: friendly, with a clear professional boundary. For decades he has worn a collared shirt and tie to teach. It signals to him and to his students that it is time to work. Dress-down days and Halloween costumes have their place, but with no rules at all, clothing can distract from learning.

Uniforms Everywhere

Uniforms are all around us. An executive chef's whites show rank and expertise. Soccer players, referees, and goalkeepers each wear what their role requires. A hockey captain wears a "C," and it means something to teammates and opponents. Baseball managers still wear the team uniform. Professional football players follow strict uniform rules, even when they add pink for cancer awareness. At a fire, the color of a helmet shows who is in charge when it is too loud to hear. Teenagers push back against rules as they grow more independent, and that is healthy. But at school and at work, we wear the uniform because we are there to work.

The Gow Uniform

Not everyone supports school uniforms, and Mr. Rogers believes in school choice. At Gow, the uniform is part of a culture we are proud of. The school has its own colors and its own tie. Every blazer carries a patch with the school logo. Blazers are navy, except one: the Student Council President wears the only burgundy blazer on campus.

Each spring, seniors who have been admitted to college receive the Gow crest on their blazers at the Cresting Ceremony. It recognizes what they have earned. And there is room to relax, with dress-down days and more casual dress for dinner and other times.

Mr. Rogers knows some people will disagree. He firmly believes that a uniform is a key ingredient in success, self-respect, and pride.