Since most public schools have a relaxed dress code, many parents wonder whether choosing a private school with a uniform policy is best for their son. Parents and students alike benefit from dress codes, since they make certain aspects of formal schooling easier. Here are three underappreciated benefits of uniforms.

The Advantages of School Uniforms

1. Take the Guesswork Out of Getting Ready

It’s hard enough for teens to wake up early to get to school. The process is complicated further when students must decide what to wear. If your teen has a set private school uniform, all you need to do is make sure those outfits are clean and ready; your son won’t have to spend time worrying about picking the perfect outfit to impress his classmates. What’s more, uniforms look neat and orderly, teaching the value of presentable attire that will help your son’s later professional life. 

2. Reduce Social Conflict

Since clothing can be viewed as a social status, many older kids notice social pressure surrounding what they wear. Private school uniforms mitigate this differentiating factor, helping kids to feel like a cohesive group and reducing peer pressure. Additionally, wearing school uniforms alongside other children builds camaraderie and school spirit, helping teens to have more fun. 

3. Highlight Personalities 

When teens don’t have the option of expressing themselves through their clothing, their personalities shine. Your son might be more likely to speak up in class, give their opinion, or try out for that new sport, since he’ll need to find other ways to set himself apart from the crowd. 

Private schools offer many benefits, from uniforms to individualized academic attention. If you’re a parent in Middlesex, Union, Essex, Hunterdon, Somerset, or Monmouth county, enroll your son in Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, NJ. This trusted Catholic private school offers a rigorous curriculum along with a variety of extracurricular opportunities to develop intellectual and athletic abilities. For more information about admissions, visit their website or give their counselors a call at (732) 549-7600.