“I don’t really care though. I’m not a woman.” Senior Caesar Vargas stated, when asked how he feels about the new dress code. This quote proves the sexist nature of the new dress code. La Jolla High has never had a strict dress code. Although there has been a written dress code in previous years, it’s never been truly enforced. But now, a new abhorrent dress code policy for the 2025-2026 school year has been introduced. Although the new policy is meant for all students regardless of gender, the outcome is the targeting and oppression of the school’s female students.

 LJHS staff enforces the new dress code, claiming that it was created by other students, for all students. When asked how she felt about the new dress code being student-made, 12th grader Serina Sattari said, “I again, think it’s kind of random, why do you care about what other people are wearing? That has nothing to do with you whatsoever, and it shouldn’t affect your learning.” A study by the US Government Accountability Office found that an estimated 44% of US dress codes outlined policies such as removing students from class who do not follow the dress code. Not only will this new policy target female students, but it will also target students of color. A study  by The National Women’s Law Center in Washington, DC, investigated twelve DC schools and found that girls of color were more likely to be disciplined for wearing clothing deemed too “tight” or “revealing.” It’s obvious that a student being taken out of the classroom during the middle of a lesson is much more disruptive than a student wearing a strapless top. Discrimination has no place at LJHS, especially not in school policy or what clothing students wear.