Prom is one of the most exciting events in a high schooler’s career. It’s one of the few times during the year that they get to dress up in gorgeous gowns and sleek suits. For seniors, this event can be seen as a way to end their time in high school with a bang.
Prom is often considered an event meant for seniors, so some may be wondering if juniors are allowed to go to prom, too. The short answer is yes, but we’ll be sharing more info about prom that you may want to know, so keep reading!
When Is Prom?
Most high schools host their prom at the end of the school year. Some schools host prom as early as late April, but it is more typical to see proms hosted in May. Prom almost always takes place before June.
When exactly prom is hosted is variable, but it’s important to prepare for the event ahead of time. Rushing to get a dress or suit at the last minute may leave you dissatisfied with your choice of attire; the prom pros at Sherri Hill recommend starting to look at least a few months before the dance. It can take time to find the perfect fit.
If you’re planning to have a professional do your hair or makeup, you should book an appointment at least a month or two in advance. You won’t be the only one interested in these services, so booking ahead of time ensures that you’ll be able to get dolled up on the day of prom by whichever salon or artist you prefer.
What Happens at Prom?
At its core, prom isn’t much more than dinner and a dance. However, some schools host proms at interesting venues that can provide more activities for students.
Some examples of unique prom venues include riverboats, museums, zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens. If your school hosts prom at such a venue, you may have the chance to take a tour of some of the exhibits.
Even if prom is held in the high school’s gym, there can be more to do than just eat and dance. Some schools may decorate areas for photo taking or rent photo booths. Schools that go the extra mile may even hire caricature artists, face painters, temporary tattoo artists, or even entertainers like magicians.
Though not every school will have the budget for such activities, the point of prom is more so to have fun with your friends before the school year ends. Prom can be an amazing experience if you spend it with the people who matter most to you.
Can Juniors Go to Prom?
At most high schools, juniors are allowed to go to prom. Typically, prom is an event hosted for both juniors and seniors, though some schools do host a separate prom for each.
When schools host prom for both juniors and seniors together, juniors are usually not allowed to participate in prom court – that is to say, they are not eligible to win the king or queen titles. However, some schools do have prince and princess titles for juniors.
Occasionally, there are schools that make juniors the focus, so junior year is the year that students can be part of prom court instead of senior year. At these schools, seniors are still invited, but prom won’t feel like as big of a deal to them since they already had their moment in the spotlight.
Can Juniors Go to Prom With Underclassmen?
Underclassmen are not allowed to attend prom at all unless invited by a junior or senior. Similarly, students from other schools can be brought to prom as dates but otherwise wouldn’t be eligible to attend.
Prom Isn’t Just for Seniors
Though prom is often considered an event for seniors, juniors are still eligible to attend at many schools. Some schools even host their proms for juniors and seniors separately.
Believe it or not, there are even high schools that make juniors the focus of prom. Seniors are allowed to attend but not allowed to be part of prom court. However your school does it, you can look forward to attending prom as a junior.
