Hair Cut Policy

Honor and disciplined is judged, in part, by the manner in which a cadet wears a prescribed uniform, as well as by the cadet’s personal appearance.  Therefore, a neat and well-groomed appearance by all cadets is fundamental to the school and contributes to building the pride and esprit essential to SMA becoming the “West Point” of high schools.  It is the responsibility of all SMA faculty to ensure that cadets present a neat and positive appearance.  Cadets will maintain a high standard of dress and appearance.  Cadets must project a military image that leaves no doubt that they live by honor and high standards.

Male haircuts will conform to the followings standards.

(1)                            The hair on top of the head will be neatly groomed.  The length and bulk of the hair will not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance (no braids, dreadlocks, etc,). Hair will present a tapered appearance and when combed will not fall over the ears or eyebrows or touch the collar except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck.  The block cut fullness in the back is permitted in moderate degree as long as the tapered look is maintained.  In all cases the bulk or length of the hair will not interfere with the normal wear of the headgear. Hair will not be cut close on the sides and long on top.  Mohawk style cuts are not authorized. Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of the hair).  Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized.

(2)                           Sideburns will be neatly trimmed and may not flair out; the base of the sideburn will be a clean shaven, horizontal line.   Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening.

(3)                           The face will be clean-shaven, except mustaches are permitted.  If a mustache is worn, it will be neatly trimmed, tapered and tidy and will not present a chopped-off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upwards from the corner of the mouth Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized.  If appropriate medical authority prescribes beard growth, the length required for medical treatment must be specified.  Cadets will keep the growth trimmed but are not authorized to shape the growth into a goatee, or “Fu Manchu” or handlebar mustaches.

2. Female haircuts will conform to the following standards.

(1)                                        Females will ensure their hair is neatly groomed, that the length and bulk of the hair is not excessive, and that the hair does not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance.  Likewise, trendy styles that result in shaved portions of the scalp (other than neckline) or designs cut into the hair are prohibited.  . Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited.  Ponytails, pigtails or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair to hang down freely), widely spaced individual hanging locks, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited.  Females may wear cornrows or braids as long as the braided style is conservative, cornrows and braids lie snugly on the head, and any hair-holding devices comply with SMA standards.  Dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted individual parts of hair) are prohibited.    Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar at any time. Long hair that falls naturally below the bottom edge of the collar, including braids, will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so no free hanging hair is visible. This includes styles worn with the athletic uniform as well.  Hair styles will not interfere with the proper wearing of military beret.

(2)                                        Hair holding devices are authorized only for the purpose of securing the hair.  Cadets will not place hair holding devices in the hair for decorative purposes.  All hair holding devices must be plain, clear or of a color as close to the cadets hair as possible or clear.  Authorized devises include, but are not limited to, barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands and hair bands. Devices that are conspicuous, excessive, or decorative are prohibited.  Some examples of prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, large, lacy scrunches; beads, bow, or claw clips; clips, pins or barrettes with butterflies, flowers, sparkles, gems, or scalloped edges; bows made from hairpieces.  Cadets cannot wear hair nets.  Beads or similar ornamental items are not authorized.