They wanted equality. The dress code is the only aspect of the school these children complain about. Akeeme and Giovany both say they don't like wearing ties and long-sleeve dress shirts during warm weather because they get too hot. Roxbury Prep also has a strict code of behavioral conduct, with a zero-tolerance policy toward classroom disturbances. Any child who disrupts class is sent to the front office for a conversation with one of the directors.
Repeat offenders get detention.
This is a strict environment, and we're going to hold kids accountable, behaviorally and academically. Octavia, for one, says she understands the need for discipline. Despite its tough rules on dress and behavior, the school is not all about discipline, says codirector King. Rather, the school's curriculum emphasizes self-esteem and the importance of a person's choices in life. We want them to be good students but also good people.