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    Dear Mays High School Parents and Guardians:

    Welcome to the start of the 2025-2026 school year at Benjamin E. Mays High School! My name is Ramon Garner, your very proud Principal, and I am excited to be a part of the tradition of excellence Mays High School represents. Parents, we do not take the opportunity to educate your children lightly, nor for granted. Our purpose is to inspire joy in teaching and learning everyday!

    This letter includes some initial information for the upcoming year including our dress code policy and other important upcoming events. For most of our communication, we will send information via calling posts and email. Please make sure that our office has your correct email address on file. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

    Key Information for the 2025-2026 School Year

    Open House: Friday, August 1st, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. During this time, you will be able to meet your students’ teachers, visit classrooms, receive bus information, and much more. There will be food truck options available for purchase and several community partners in attendance for registration. We can’t wait to see you on Monday!

    School Day: School begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Students can be dropped off no earlier than 8:00 a.m. All students must be in class by 8:30 a.m., no exception. School day ends at 3:30 p.m. Please make sure your student is picked up by 4:00 p.m.

    First Week of School: Monday, August 4th – Friday, August 8th. Students will engage in a series of courses that will outline student expectations, device distribution, and class assemblies.

    School Supplies: Parents will need to provide notebook paper, pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters, markers, and any other supplies outlined in the teacher syllabus. Students should have a clear or mesh backpack that holds the items listed above.

    Extra-Curricular Activities: Please call the school or visit the school website for information regarding all athletics, clubs and organizations.

     

    Dress Code Policy:

    Students MUST wear:

    Students MAY wear:

    Students CANNOT wear:
    • A SHIRT (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), AND
    • PANTS/JEANS OR THE EQUIVALENT (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress or shorts), AND
    • SHOES.

     

    Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be always covered for all students. 

     

    Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, chest, upper thigh, and midriff are fully covered with opaque (nontransparent) fabric.

     

    Benjamin E. Mays High School expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or for any school-sponsored event. Student dress choices should respect the district’s intent to sustain a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities.
    • Beanies. Hats must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff.
    • Religious headwear
    • Hooded sweatshirts
    • Nontransparent leggings and yoga pants (must be worn with a top that extends to the mid-thigh).
    • Ripped jeans, as long as underwear, mid-thighs and buttocks are not exposed
    • Athletic attire that does not violate the basic principle. 
    • Any headwear with a brim
    • Bedroom slippers or house shoes
    • Satin bonnets, scarves, durags, or bandanas
    • Pajamas
    • Tank tops, including spaghetti straps; halter tops
    • Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments
    • Ski Masks
    • Any item that obscures the face or ears, except as a religious observance or as personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Violent language or images.
    • Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity).
    • Bullet proof vest, body armor, tactical gear, or facsimile.
    • Hate speech, profanity, pornography.
    • Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment 
    • Swimsuits
    • Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon.

     

    Dress Code Enforcement: Students will only be removed from spaces, hallways, or classrooms because of a dress code violation as outlined above and taken to the AP’s office to address the violation and support. Students in violation of the dress code will be provided with two (2) options to be dressed more to code during the school day:

    1. Students will be asked to put on their own alternative clothing, if already available at school, to be dressed more to code for the remainder of the day.
    2. If necessary, students’ parents may be called during the school day to bring alternative clothing for the student to wear for the remainder of the day.

     

     

     

    Warm regards, 

    Ramon Garner, PhD

    Benjamin E. Mays High Scholl Principal  

    404-802-5100

    Ramon.Garner@apsk12.org