LOGANSPORT — Turns out that the way students dress might factor into their success in the classroom.

Fairview Elementary principal Chris Hess sees the pilot standardized dress program implemented last year as a way to even the playing field for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Hess says that during its first year under the new policy the school experienced fewer reports of bullying and better student morale.

Hess reported to the school board last week that Fairview won the Cass County Battle of the Books competition for the first time and placed first in its category at a spell bowl. She said the school also showed improvement in its ISTEP scores.

Can Hess attribute those accomplishments to the dress code? Not entirely, she said, but she is confident that the program is creating an improved climate for learning.

Meghan Turner, a 10-year-old fifth grader, shares her principal’s sentiments about the program.

“I like it because you don’t get teased any more,” she said.

When the program started last year, it called for students to wear dark blue, black or khaki pants, plain polo or buttoned up shirts, plain sweaters, cardigans and closed-toe shoes. No jeans, logos or hooded sweatshirts were allowed.

Hess reported that during the first year few students violated the dress code. If they did, the student would be given clothes from the school’s clothing bank and a note would be sent home. A second offense resulted in a phone call to the child’s caregiver and a request for appropriate clothing to be brought to school. A third offense called for an hour of detention.

“I’m pleased to say that we never got to a third offense,” Hess said.

This year, Fairview officials decided to expand the colors of shirts and pants. Now, students can wear pink and gray tops and dark brown pants.

“The girls are happy about the pink,” Hess said.

Throughout the year, the first Friday of every month will be dress up or dress down day, which allows students to either wear jeans or really dress up, Hess said.

The school will continue spirit days like the 100th day of school when students dress like they are 100 years old. As an incentive, students with perfect attendance during a nine-week grading period and those who make the honor roll will get to wear jeans.

Joyce Sandberg, a fifth-grade teacher with 21 years at Fairview, said she sure liked not having to address mean comments made by students about the clothes worn by another student. Now, she said, she and the children can focus on learning.

“I think it gives them a whole new attitude about themselves,” she said. “They just sit up better. They are more engaged. It’s really nice.”

Hess sees students becoming more confident.

“They feel like they’re in their Sunday best when dressed for school at Fairview,” she said.

The school had a handful of new students this year. With standardized dress, the students from Florida and California immediately blended in.

“One less worry, and to me, that is huge,” Hess said.

The program still allows individuality in each student’s choice of shoes, socks and jewelry.

“They can still be individual kids, but they do have to adhere to the rules,” said Hess, who pointed out that learning to follow the rules in society is a valuable life lesson.

Turner says she still gets to look stylish. For the first day of school on Monday, she sported shoes with peace sign.

Sandberg enjoys seeing skirts and dresses being worn more frequently.

“Girls are being little girls again,” she said.

Hess wants to see Fairview continue the program beyond this school year.

“Our strong hope is that Fairview will continue the program indefinitely,” Hess said. “We saw many positive results from our Dress for Success program last year. It’s hard to argue with good, positive learning environment.”

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.