The requirement has been in place since its founding. According to Nancy Ross, a former Rice School parent quoted in the Houston Press, originally the uniforms were to be white T-shirts and blue jeans. Ross said that, at social functions, she overheard wealthier parents express a preference for polo shirts and khakis similar to those worn by students of the St. John's School, a private school. Tim Fleck of the Houston Press said that this was an example of wealthier parents getting to "set the agenda" at Rice. The uniform, decided by parents and students, ultimately consisted of khaki trousers, shorts, and skirts and red, white, and blue polo shirts. The school's first fundraiser was a uniform assistance fund aimed at raising uniform money for 150 families. Tops consist of red, white, or navy shirts with the school insignia. Trousers, shorts, and skirts must be khaki. References McAdams, Donald R. Fighting to Save Our Urban Schools-- and Winning!: Lessons from Houston. Teachers College Press, 2000. , 9780807770351. Notes External links The Rice School The Rice School PTO Storrow, Amy. "Bilingual Education Should Be Goal for All." (editorial) The New York Times. December 7, 1995. Houston Independent School District elementary schools Houston Independent School District middle schools Public K–8 schools in Houston Bilingual schools in Houston 1994 establishments in Texas Educational institutions established in 1994 University-affiliated schools in the United States Rice University Magnet schools in Houston