A Texas middle school has banned all-black clothing this school year, citing alleged mental health and safety reasons, but without the required district approval.
Black is one of the campus colors of El Paso’s Charles Middle School, but students are no longer allowed to wear it head-to-toe, per its 2024-2025 dress code.
In a letter sent to parents ahead of the school year, Principal Nick DeSantis announced the change, saying all-black outfits have “become more associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and healthy kids ready to learn.”
Charles Middle School’s dress code restricts most outfit pieces to the campus’s spirit colors, which are dark green and black. Approved uniforms options include black polos, sweatshirts and socks. Acceptable gym clothes also include black T-shirts, shorts and pants.
The policy has received pushback from parents, former students and community members. Multiple online commenters questioned why the school was banning certain clothing colors instead of investing in mental health resources, anti-bullying actions or other health initiatives.
“Banning the color they feel comfortable to wear will make them more depressed,” one Facebook commenter said. “The color you wear does not reflect your mental illness or lack thereof.”
In an Aug. 9 statement, El Paso Independent School District Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said she had been made aware of “recent discussions about the uniform policy at some of our schools.”
“These events have underscored the importance of open communication between the district, our schools, and the broader community,” Sayavedra said.
The changes came out of “a dialogue with the community in April,” according to an El Paso ISD spokesperson. But Charles Middle School seems to have implemented the new policy without the district’s permission.
The El Paso ISD spokesperson told LoneStarLive.com that the middle school “prematurely” communicated the dress code changes before receiving the required district-level approval.
“We regret the miscommunication, particularly the intent behind the changes,” the spokesperson said.
The El Paso ISD started classes Aug. 5.