The UAE Ministry of Education requires students to wear a school uniform. All ACS students, KG1 - Grade 12, wear the official ACS uniform to school every day.
The ACS uniform is a top specified below that is embroidered with the ACS logo, paired with an appropriate bottom in either solid khaki or black. All uniform tops must be purchased from Lands' End, Viper Pit or Zaks. This includes ACS logo sweatshirts, sweaters and fleece jackets.
Additionally, students in KG2 - Grade 12 are required to wear the ACS PE uniform for PE/gym classes.
Where To Purchase Uniforms
Parents are asked to make arrangements to purchase their child(ren)'s uniform in advance of the beginning of the school year.
Lands' End: The primary supplier of the ACS school uniform.
Lands' End School Code: 900182049
Zaks: Available online and in Mushrif Mall, Zaks is a local vendor that carries a limited selection of uniform items, including black and gray T-shirts and polos with the ACS logo. Zaks also carries sweatshirts in all four colors (evergreen, white, gray and black).
The Viper Pit: Our volunteer-run spirit store. The Viper Pit carries a selection of ACS uniform polos and T-shirts from Lands' End. The Viper Pit does not stock all styles that are available on the Lands' End website.
Purchasing PE Uniforms: Our PE Uniform vendor is Kukri. PE Uniforms are not sold by Lands' End or Zaks. The ACS PE Uniform is stocked and sold through The Viper Pit.
ACS Uniform Specifics
Uniform Tops
Collared polo-style or T-shirts with the ACS logo are options for boys and girls, including both long- and short-sleeved options. Students are not permitted to wear non-uniform tops during the school day. This includes sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets or other outerwear that does not have the ACS logo. If students need an additional layer of clothing, it must be approved ACS uniform outerwear.
Uniform Bottoms
ACS does not mandate a specific article of clothing for the bottoms. As long as bottoms meet the specified guidelines, families can buy them from any store they wish.
- Bottoms need to be plain/solid BLACK or KHAKI in color and meet dress code guidelines (no rips, tears or cut-outs). (Note: Navy blue or gray bottoms are not acceptable. Bottoms may not have white or colored stripes down the legs.)
- For both boys and girls in the Middle School and High School, shorts, skirts, dresses and skorts must come to the knees.
- Leggings are not acceptable in Middle School or High School (unless they are worn under a knee-length skirt or dress).
- Any logo on the bottoms must be the same size or smaller than the logo on your ACS uniform top.
Physical Education (PE) Uniforms
Students in KG2 - Grade 12 are required to wear the ACS PE uniform for PE/gym classes. KG1 students have the option to wear the ACS PE uniform or their regular ACS Uniform on PE/gym class days. PE uniforms are purchased through ACS’ on-campus store, The Viper Pit.
- Students in KG2 - Grade 5 wear their PE uniform all day on the days that they have PE class.
- Students in Grades 6 -12 change in and out of their PE uniform for PE class.
The ACS PE Uniform is a green or white PE shirt, with the black PE shorts. If families require their child to wear pants for cultural or religious reasons or for warmth, they must be plain black sports pants (no stripes, logos, insignias, etc). Tights or yoga pants are not permitted unless they are worn under black PE shorts. PE pants must be brought specifically for PE purposes and cannot be the same pants worn as the school uniform that day.
Must Haves
All Middle School and High School students need a green ACS uniform polo shirt (any of the Lands' End styles) for school travel, band and choir concerts, etc. The travel uniform also includes khaki or black pants or a skirt (knee-length or longer) that meet dress code standards. Shorts are not permitted for travel.
Footwear
Middle School and High School students may wear the footwear of their choice. Elementary students may wear sneakers or sandals/Crocs with a secure heel strap. Flip flops are not acceptable footwear for Elementary School students.
Swimsuits
For students participating in swimming and aquatic activities, a regulation swimming suit is required (Personal swimsuits are fine. One-piece suits for girls.) All students with shoulder-length hair need to wear a swim cap during their PE swimming unit.
Additional ACS Uniform Options
Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts, fleece jackets and other outerwear with the ACS logo that is purchased from Lands' End or The Viper Pit can be worn on top of, or in lieu of, the normal uniform top. Outerwear purchased from The Viper Pit in evergreen, gray, white, black with the ACS Athletics or ACS Vipers logo on it can also be worn on top of, or in lieu of, the normal uniform top.
Club Shirts
Club/Athletic team shirts are only permitted on designated spirit/game days, or after the end of the school day.
Performance Shirts
Fine and performing arts exhibition/performance/show shirts are only permitted in the five days leading to the performance. The exception is if the design is pre-approved by the Director of Athletics and Activities before they are ordered and worn to school.
Class Sweatshirts
The only grade permitted to create a class sweatshirt or top and wear it in place of a uniform top will be the Grade 12 class.
Team Sweatshirts
MESAC, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams may design a sweatshirt to represent their team. These sweatshirts must adhere to all of the following rules:
- Must be in one of the four approved colors: Evergreen, Gray, White or Black
- Must include the ACS logo above the heart or on the upper left sleeve
- Must be approved by the Director of Athletics and Activities before they are ordered and worn to school
- Can ONLY be worn on Thursdays and spirit/game days
These will be considered similar to a “letter jacket,” and worn as a recognition of the honor of being on the MESAC team.
Athletic Tracksuits
ACS athletic tracksuits used by Junior Varsity and Varsity teams are not ACS uniforms. They may only be worn on team travel days.
Technology Requirements
At ACS, our digital device program is designed to prepare students for living, learning and working in a digital world and help them develop into competent, creative, positive and responsible users of technology. All students in Grades 4-12 are required to provide their own Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook Air laptop through our 1:1 Digital Device Program.