15 School Rules That Only Existed in the ’90s
Here's a nostalgic look back at quirky and unforgettable school rules that were totally ’90s.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
This listicle dives into 15 of the most uniquely ’90s school rules. Each slide offers a vivid flashback, blending humor and nostalgia to capture the era’s quirks. It highlights how trivial rules shaped school life, making us laugh and wonder how different things were back then.
1. Slap Bracelets—Teacher’s Nemesis
Anntinomy on Wikimedia Commons
In the ’90s, slap bracelets were the ultimate playground accessory, showing up in every bright color and pattern imaginable. Teachers quickly turned against them after a few incidents where the metal inside snapped through the fabric. What started as a harmless fad soon became a forbidden item that kids smuggled in just to show off.
2. No Cell Phones…Period!
Kasyap on Wikimedia Commons
Before smartphones, a cell phone was a bulky “brick” that hardly fit in your pocket. Bringing one to school was seen as unnecessary and often against the rules entirely. Most students relied on payphones in the hallway, which often had a line during lunch and after school.
3. Only Cassettes in Class
Hmvh on Wikimedia Commons
In many classrooms, cassette tapes were the main way to play music or lessons. Teachers would rewind or fast-forward, hoping the tape did not get tangled in the player. Everyone knew the pain of hearing the audio slow down as the batteries started to die.
4. The Trapper Keeper Takeover
Yortizsoto16 on Wikimedia Commons
The Trapper Keeper was more than just a binder for your papers. It was covered in neon designs or wild patterns that made it feel like a piece of your personality. Some schools banned the more eye-catching ones, claiming they caused too much distraction during lessons.
5. T9 Text Breaks Only
Cookie Nguyen on Wikimedia Commons
Texting on a T9 phone took real patience because every letter had to be tapped out using numbers. If a teacher allowed you a texting break, it felt like a special privilege. Conversations moved slowly, but it was worth it just to send a few words to a friend in another class.
6. No Hats in the Classroom
Zomlien Neihsiel on Pexels
In many ’90s schools, wearing a hat indoors was seen as disrespectful. Teachers would make you take it off the moment you walked through the door, no matter how cool it looked. For kids who saw their cap as part of their style, it felt like losing a piece of their identity for the entire day.
7. Banned Pogs and Trading Cards
Nizzan Cohen on Wikimedia Commons
Pogs and trading cards were the currency of recess, traded and battled over like treasures. Some schools banned them after arguments and small scuffles broke out over who really won a match. For kids, this meant hiding their collection deep in their backpack, ready to sneak out at lunch.
8. No Chewing Gum Anywhere
Bodie Strain from Melbourne, Australia on Wikimedia Commons
Gum chewing was one of the fastest ways to get in trouble, no matter how discreet you thought you were. Teachers worried about it ending up under desks or stuck in the carpet. Many students became experts at chewing silently without getting caught.
9. Assigned Computer Lab Time
University of Salford Press Office on Wikimedia Commons
In the ’90s, computer labs were a precious resource, so schools gave each class a specific time slot. If you missed your slot, you missed your chance to use the clunky desktop computers for the week. Kids often rushed through assignments just to have a few minutes to play Oregon Trail or Number Munchers.
10. No Roller Shoes on Campus
User:Natthawutjansri on Wikimedia Commons
Before Heelys officially took over the 2000s, roller shoes and sneakers with hidden wheels had a short-lived moment in the ’90s. Schools banned them quickly after a few hallway accidents. For kids, it was crushing to lose the ability to roll into class in style.
11. Strict Dress Code Colors
Franklin Heijnen on Wikimedia Commons
Some schools had rules about shirt colors, especially in private or uniform-based settings. If you wore the wrong shade, you were sent to the office or made to borrow a spare shirt from the lost and found. It was a constant reminder that fashion freedom was limited during the school day.
12. Only Pencil for Homework
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
Many teachers refused to accept homework written in pen, insisting that pencil was easier to correct. Forgetting your pencil meant borrowing a stub from a friend or begging the teacher for one. It became a habit for students to carry more pencils than they actually needed, just in case.
13. Book Covers Required
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
Textbooks had to be covered, often with paper bags or store-bought stretchy covers. Teachers said it kept the books in good shape, but students used it as a chance to decorate with doodles and stickers. A well-worn book cover could tell the story of the entire school year.
14. No Walkman During Class
The original uploader was Ahkitj at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
The Walkman was a prized possession, but it was banned in class to keep students focused. This led to kids sneaking in one earbud under their hair or hoodie. Teachers seemed to have a sixth sense for spotting who was listening to music instead of paying attention.
15. Hall Passes for Everything
Green odette on Pexels
Leaving the classroom for any reason required a hall pass, often a giant wooden block or laminated card. Carrying it felt like a badge of power, even if you were just going to the bathroom. Some students used the hall pass as a way to take the longest route possible back to class.