Seventh grader is forced to find a new school after refusing to cut the dreadlocks he has worn since he was young

  

Photo: CBS

 Isaiah Freeman (pictured, left) and Shawn Freeman (pictured, right) are upset after Isaiah was told he can not wear his hair long and in dreadlocks to school even though he's had it that way for year 

...the question here, is the child above the laws of the of the school? If the school's code of conduct is being flouted, the option is simple

A Virginia family was told they must cut their son's dread locked hair or he will be reprimanded every day he attends school. Isaiah Freeman, who is in seventh grade at West End Christian School in Hopewell, Virginia, has had dread locks past his ears since he was in the school's third grade.Now, administrators are threatening the student with a referral every day he comes to school without the haircut.

 Isaiah's father, Shawn, said this problem wasn't flagged up throughout the years until now and he thinks it's a cultural issue. 

'As he gets older and bigger, people are uncomfortable with him having dreadlocks.

'It's an issue of people feeling uncomfortable with a young black male having dreadlocks and having a certain persona of negativity,' Shawn told CBS 6.

Isaiah and his father tried to find a solution like pulling his hair back, but the school wouldn't budge 

 

Isaiah has worn his hair in dreadlocks since he the   third grade and they have never been an issue until now

Shawn and Isaiah tried to come to a common ground with the school, tying Isaiah's hard back so it doesn't cover his ears or face.

'I was a bit confused because my hair has been that way for so long.

'I was thinking they would approve it and I can go to school as normal,' Isaiah said. 

Principal Amy Griggs wouldn't agree to it and said if they make an exception now,     they'll have to do it for other boys.

Amy Griggs, principal of West End Christian School (pictured), said if she makes an exception for Isaiah, she will be forced to make an exception for all the boys at the school

Isaiah has decided not to return to the private Christian school, a decision that Griggs said she's extremely saddening

Because of the issue, Isaiah will not be returning to West End Christian School. 

Principal Griggs said the dress code was 'designed to hold students to a higher standard and each year families sign a handbook agreeing to follow the rules'. 

The Freemans signed the code of conduct, not realizing the bind they had put themselves in with Isaiah's hair. 

Principal Griggs told CBS 6 she's 'saddened that Isaiah won't return to their school, calling him a respectful and exemplary student'.

She also told the news channel that after speaking with the parents again, the School Board is considering diversity training and possibly changing the hair policy for next year.