Prom - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal (black tie) dance, or gathering of high school

High school

High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it Junior Prom while high school seniors may call it Senior Prom. In practice this may be a combined junior/senior dance. At prom, a Prom Queen and Prom King may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students chosen in a school-wide vote prior to the prom, and are usually given to seniors. Juniors may also be honored, but would be called "Prom Prince" or "Prom Princess". Other students may be honored with inclusion in a "Prom Court". The selection method for Prom Court is similar to that of Homecoming

Homecoming

Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...

Queen, King, and Court. Inclusion in a Prom Court is a reflection of popularity of those chosen and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports.

The British synonym for the North American event would be Leavers' Ball, Leavers' Dinner, Formal
School Formal
A school formal is an event held during the school year for students in Australian and New Zealand high schools. Formals are generally organised and run by a student committee, the members of which volunteer to do so...

or, informally, Leavers' Do. In Canada

Canada

, Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

, and Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

the terms Grad or Formal are most commonly used and the event is usually held for those graduating high school or middle school, But the term "Prom" is becoming more frequent in the UK due to US TV shows. In Ireland, the event is also known as the Debs, which is derived from Debutante.

Prom attire

Boys usually dress in black or white formal wear, regardless of the time of the event, sometimes paired with brightly colored ties or bow-ties with vest

Vest

A vest is a garment covering the upper body. The term has different meanings around the world:Waistcoat :. This is called a waistcoat in the UK and many Commonwealth countries, or a vest in the US and Canada. It is often worn as part of formal attire, or as the third piece of a lounge...

s, in some cases in colors matching their date's dress. Most are rented from stores that specialize in formal wear rentals.

Girls wear traditional ladies dresses or gowns. They may purchase their prom dresses from specialized shops, boutiques, or internet retailers. There are many specialty labels selling prom dresses that release new collections each prom season.

Traditionally girls will also wear a corsage

Corsage

Corsage refers to a bouquet of flowers worn on a woman's dress or worn around her wrist.* Corsages are often worn by the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom at a wedding ceremony in some countries....

, given to them by their dates, and girls give boys matching boutonnière

Boutonniere

A boutonnière is a floral decoration worn by men, typically a single flower or bud. The word comes from the French word for buttonhole, which is the British term....

s to be worn on their lapel.

Prom logistics and traditions

Prom attendees may be limited by their schools to be Juniors or Seniors and if guests, under age 21.
Before Prom, girls will typically get their hair styled, often in groups as a social activity at a salon. Prom dates will then gather at a park, garden, or their own and their date's houses for photographs. Prom attendees may rent limousines to transport groups of friends from their homes to the Prom venue: a banquet hall or school gymnasium. Some schools host their proms at hotel ballrooms or other venues where weddings typically take place. At Prom, a meal may be served. The dance itself may have a band or DJ. After Prom, a school or community may host a "Post Prom" at a restaurant or at school.

Related social gatherings

Africa

In Egypt

Egypt

Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...

, most private schools have proms similar to ones held in the USA but with slight differences.

In South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

, the equivalent of the American prom is the Matric Dance, taking place during the matriculation (i.e. final) year of high school (12th grade). It takes place towards the end of the third quarter, shortly before the spring break, after which the Matriculation Examinations commence. It usually takes the form of a formal dinner and dance. In most schools the 11th grade class is responsible for arranging the event. Sometimes teachers and parents also attend.

In Kenya

Kenya

Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...

most private Schools with Expatriates have proms or "End of year socials"

Asia

In India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

and Nepal

Nepal

Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...

, the equivalent is a farewell party or farewell gathering. The outgoing students are given a warm send-off by the junior students and staff. All the seniors are felicitated with souvenirs and superlatives are given awards.

In Israel

Israel

The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

, the proms are similar to American proms with dress code, prom dates, limousines, prom kings or queens.

In Lebanon

Lebanon

Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...

, proms are held after the graduation ceremony at night. They are usually held at hotel with a formal dress code, prom dates, rented cars and occasionally, proms kings and queens.

In Malaysia, proms are gaining more popularity, especially in the bigger cities. However, these gatherings are usually organized by students, and the school administration is not involved.

In Pakistan

Pakistan

Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

, the equivalent to the American prom is a farewell dinner or farewell function that takes place at the end of the college academic year. In farewell function one girl is appointed "Lady of the Evening" and one boy is appointed "Gentleman of the Evening."

In the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

proms are popular in high schools. Prom usually takes place in the junior and senior years of high school. Proms are commonly known as "JS Prom," or, Junior-Senior prom. Junior Proms are normally called "Winter Formals". The Associated Student Body generally organizes the event. Usually a Prom King and Queen are chosen. The basis for the King and Queen judgment is the beauty and the fashion of the nominee, not the popularity.

In Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

, the equivalent is called "Graduation Ball." The type of event and the rules applied are created by the student governments and school boards.It is a tradition of graduation for seniors.

In Vietnam

Vietnam

Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...

, the equivalent to the prom is called liên hoan cuối năm.

Europe

In Austria

Austria

Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

, as well as in Czech Republic

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

, the last year in Gymnasium

Gymnasium (school)

A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...

is celebrated with a ball called in German Maturaball and in Czech Maturitní ples (Graduation ball). This dance takes place before exams are taken, usually in January or February, the traditional season for balls during the Fasching
Carnival in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
In German-speaking countries, there are essentially two distinct variations of Carnivals: the Rhenish Carnival in the west of Germany centred around the cities of Düsseldorf, Cologne and Mainz, and the Alemannic or Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht in Swabia , Switzerland, Alsace and Vorarlberg .The...

. (i.e. List of balls in Vienna) Normally, balls are formal. The students often invite their parents and other relatives to come to the ball with them. Sometimes several schools organize a joint event. The income is often used to finance a collective voyage of the students after the exams.

In Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, as well as in some parts of the Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

, senior students celebrate their last 100 days of high school with a special day called 'Chrysostomos' or '100-dagen feest' (100-days party). Tradition states that on this winter day, seniors are allowed to pull pranks on their teachers and fellow students. Some schools handle a theme as dresscode, while others go for the traditional outfit: blue jeans, a black cotton jacket, a black hat (with a red or blue ribbon) and a whistle around the neck. Some even paint their faces and some seniors also carry a spray can (shaving cream or other fluids) to 'attack' the non-seniors with. A noisy march through town is also part of the gig. Later during the day, students perform an act at school, usually a silly show involving school or a parody. In the evening, students head to a rented club to party. This involves dancing, singing and lots of beer to get a taste of fraternity life. Sometimes even teachers join the party to show that they too have a wild side.

In Bosnia, Croatia

Croatia

Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...

, Serbia

Serbia

Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...

and the Republic of Macedonia

Republic of Macedonia

Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...

, matursko veče (also maturalna večer and maturska vecer), as graduation night, is the event held at the end of the senior year. It is similar to prom night in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. In Croatia it is sometimes held in January or February, as in Austria.

In Denmark

Denmark

Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...

, the prom is called "galla" and takes place before the exams begin. The word "galla" refers to the dresscode which is long dresses for the woman and suits for the men.

In Finland

Finland

Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...

the equivalent of the prom is called Vanhojen tanssit

Vanhojen tanssit

Vanhojen tanssit or Wanhojen tanssit in Finnish , or De äldstes dag in Swedish , is a formal prom held in Finnish upper secondary schools during the second year. It is a celebration of the fact that the 2nd year students are now the oldest of the school...

. The event is in February when high school students in their third year stop going to school in order to prepare for their abitur

Abitur

Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...

exams, and second grade students become the oldest in the school. Students learn 10–15 dances for the event. Earlier the habit was to wear old clothes and look old. Nowadays clothes are very much the same kind as in US proms.

In Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

, students celebrate their graduation from high school

High school

, or Gymnasium

Gymnasium (school)

, with an Abifeier (from the graduation certificate or Abitur

Abitur

). The events are informal, apart from the "Abi-Ball," where students usually wear suits and ball gowns. The event often follows a certain order with a welcome, introductions, an award ceremony for students, and then a series of student-organized activities that tend to make fun of teachers, usually with an extended hagiography

Hagiography

Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...

about the favorite teacher. This is followed by the school's own band, other bands, or an extended demonstration of all of the artistic outpourings of the students and staff. The event normally ends with a DJ playing music. Alcohol is available at these events since the legal drinking age in Germany is 16 (for beer and wine), and most graduating students are 18 or older.

In Hungary

Hungary

Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...

, students receive a blue ribbon to mark the beginning of the preparation for their graduation. Students receive this ribbon at a ball called "Szalagavató", meaning the "inauguration of ribbons". This prom-like evening dance is traditionally held in the ball season of January–February, but recently sometimes also before Christmas. At the beginning of the ball, each graduating class performs a choreographed dance they learned during the months leading up to the event. After the school organised ball of the evening, students usually go out at night to drink to bars and discos, even if some of them are below drinking age (18 in Hungary).

In Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

, this formal dance is called the Débutante

Debutante

A débutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal "début" presentation. It should not be confused with a Debs...

s' Ball. This is referred to as the "Grad," or, informally, Debs in eastern Ireland. This is a formal dance for students who have just graduated from secondary school (high school) and is traditionally held between September and October, after the students have finished exams. In rural areas it often takes place in July or August. The same formal dance is also occasionally known as the "Grad" among students in all-male schools. "Grads" can also refer to an informal dance mid-way through the school year. Some all-boys schools have their Debs in January, February, or March of their final year. This is a tradition followed by all boys schools in Limerick. Students who did an optional "transition" year from junior to senior cycle often get to attend the debs going into their final year and leaving their final year. Alcohol is available at these events.

In Italian

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

the equivalent is known as "i cento giorni", an unofficial party organised by students themselves in a location of their choice 100 days before the final exams before high school graduation. Usually the party is not held with all graduating students, rather every class organizes a separated party to celebrate with classmates.
The tradition of "i cento giorni" comes from Piedmontese military schools in the late 1800, where days remaining to graduation were counted starting from the 100th with the locution "Mak Π 100", from Piedmontese language

Piedmontese language

Piedmontese is a Romance language spoken by over 2 million people in Piedmont, northwest Italy. It is geographically and linguistically included in the Northern Italian group . It is part of the wider western group of Romance languages, including French, Occitan, and Catalan.Many European and...

"mac pì 100", translating as "just more 100 (days remaining)".

In Lithuania

Lithuania

Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...

, the prom is held after final exams, usually the same day when high school diplomas are presented. The event is called išleistuvės. The equivalent of prom is called Šimtadienis, which happens around 100 days before final exams. It is held for people who are just about to graduate and is organized by junior classes.

In Norway

Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...

, this event varies from school to school. It is usually held during the winter months, and is often called "Nyttårsballet" which means "the new years ball." The students are not allowed to bring people from outside the school.

In Poland

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

, proms taking place before final exams (bal maturalny) are still very popular each year. Almost every school organises it about 100 days before matura

Matura

Matura or a similar term is the common name for the high-school leaving exam or "maturity exam" in various countries, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia,...

exams, that's why the prom is commonly known as 'studniówka' ('100 days thing'). The prom begins with students' performance of polonaise

Polonaise

The polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time. Its name is French for "Polish."The polonaise had a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin....

, a traditional Polish dance.

In Portugal

Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

, proms are held before the end of the year, in May or June and are called 'Baile de Finalistas' ( Finalists ball). The students wear formal suits and dresses. In some schools is chosen the king and the queen of the prom. It is organised by a student association, elected in the beginning of the school year by the students to organise school events.

In Romania

Romania

Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...

distinct proms are held each year in high schools and college for both the graduating students as well as the newly enrolled ones. They are called graduation balls and freshmen ("boboci", meaning "hatchlings" in Romanian) balls, respectivelly. They are usually not black tie (informal). The venue is chosen by the teaching staff and can be any place, including the school gym or auditorium, a club, restaurant etc. It is common to charge students an admission tax in order to offset the cost. One or more bands or singers are usually hired to provide entertainment. Often the event is sponsored by local businesses. Access is usually controlled and limited to students of that particular high school or university, but exceptions can be made for relatives and it is not uncommon for students from other institutions to try to crash a particular prom. Freshmen proms usually include a popularity contest of some sort, which designates 3 girls and 3 boys as places I, II and III "most popular" as chosen by student vote; the candidates have to undergo various entertaining challenges, which usually include pair dancing. Generally speaking, freshmen proms are the more popular, with college freshmen proms often being publicized as club events and promoted by radio stations, who take the opportunity to introduce bands and singers. Whereas graduation proms are more subdued and often not a public or even a school-wide event, many graduating classes choosing to restrict attendance just to the actual graduates and their teachers.

In Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

and Belarus

Belarus

Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...

, proms are called 'Vipusknoy vecher', which literally means 'evening of graduation'. They take place from the 18th to the 20th or the 23rd to the 25th of June, after all state exams are completed. Proms are never held on the 21st/22nd because they took place on June 21 in 1941, but on the 22nd all graduates were drafted to fight the German invasion during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.

First, all graduates receive their atestats (or diplomas). Students with higher marks receive them first.

Afterward, the prom continues as a school ball, traditionally with classic dances. Students may choose restaurants, cafes, or ships rather than school grounds to hold the events. Proms may be held in a Discothèque, but it must start with the school waltz.

At the conclusion of the prom evening, it is tradition to walk the whole night and watch sunrise in the morning (on a hill, if applicable, in Moscow – Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills, Vorobyovy Gory is a hill on the right bank of the Moskva River and one of highest points in Moscow with an altitude up to 220 m ....

).

In Slovakia

Slovakia

The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...

, the closest thing to a prom is Stužková, an occasion when the seniors get together with their parents, partners and teachers to celebrate their upcoming graduation. It takes place in November or December. Each of the students receives a green ribbon with their name on it (thus the name Stužková, the Ribbon Ball). The principal and the class teacher are given big green ribbons as well. Many of the students wear this ribbon on their jackets or shirts until graduation. Stužková typically includes a banquet, skits and songs prepared by students, and, of course, dancing. Men wear formal suits and women formal dresses. One week before Stužková is a ceremony of Pečatenie triednej knihy (Sealing of the Class-register) so that teachers will not give bad marks to students before Stužková. It is connected with some story and recorded by cameraman and then put on a Dvd of Stužková. It usually starts at 6 p.m. and ends in the early hours of the next morning (4a.m.).

In Slovenia

Slovenia

Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...

, the equivalent is Maturantski ples. It is held before the final exams between January and May, depending on the region and school. Students can bring dates and/or close family to the ball. It is a custom that each student dances the last dance of the first sequence, a Vienna Walzer, with his mother/her father. There is also a dinner and live music.

In Sweden

Sweden

Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....

, this kind of event is usually known as Studentbalen. The word "Studentbalen" is a proper noun

Proper noun

A proper noun or proper name is a noun representing a unique entity , as distinguished from a common noun, which represents a class of entities —for example, city, planet, person or corporation)...

meaning "The Student Ball," while the word studentbal is a common noun that can refer to any formal dinner and dance at a Swedish university. Studentbalen is usually held during the final weeks before graduating and can be formal.

The Swiss

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

equivalent of a prom is the bal de printemps. Literally translated, this is a 'Spring Ball'. At some schools in the German speaking part, its called "Maturaball". This is not always organized by the schools, but sometimes by a student's committee. It takes mostly part before the final exams.

In the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

many senior schools had school dances or balls

Ball (dance)

A ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' is derived from the Latin word "ballare", meaning 'to dance'; the term also derived into "bailar", which is the Spanish and Portuguese word for dance . In Catalan it is the same word, 'ball', for the dance event.Attendees wear evening attire, which is...

, which from the 1970s were most often called a "school disco". School discos were semi-formal events held at various times of the year, often in the Christmas period. Many schools had a summer ball to celebrate the end of term, but this did not have any of the cultural or social significance of the US prom. School proms were unheard of until the 2000s, but have now become common due to the influence of US TV shows. Schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland traditionally hold their prom, or "school formal", at the end of compulsory secondary education in Year 11 (ages 15/16) and the end of Sixth Form (aged 18), for those who have continued school.

In Scotland it is held only at the end of S6 (ages 17/18) because all high schools in Scotland have a 'Sixth Form' (but called S5 and S6) whereas elsewhere many students have to go to college to sit their A-Levels. Therefore, fewer people actually leave high school in Scotland at ages 15/16 than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. At Scottish proms, boys usually wear kilts (kilts are also often seen in the other Celtic

Celtic nations

The Celtic nations are territories in North-West Europe in which that area's own Celtic languages and some cultural traits have survived.The term "nation" is used in its original sense to mean a people who share a common traditional identity and culture and are identified with a traditional...

regions).

North America

In Canada

Canada

, most schools have similar traditions to schools in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, except that the prom is held only for the graduating class (hence the commonly used synonyms for prom, "grad" and "grad formal"). There is no prom held for Grade 11 (except in the province of Quebec

Quebec

Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....

, where grade 11 is the last year). It is strictly a ceremony celebrating students' graduation from high school.

In the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, some high schools only allow the graduating class (Seniors) to have a prom. Some schools also allow grade 11 (Juniors) to hold a prom, and select high schools even hold proms for Freshmen and Sophomores. In other cases there is a combined Junior/Senior prom. Some American high schools and colleges that do not allow school-sponsored dances will host a Junior/Senior prom as a banquet instead of a dance. Typically, students still dress in formal attire and attend as couples. More and more colleges are hosting proms in recent years, usually as fundraisers for campus organizations such as Ballroom Dance groups, fraternities/sororities, or other organizations.

Oceania

In Australia

Australia

and New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

if the event is not relegated solely to the final year, it may be described as a Ball, School Formal

School Formal

A school formal is an event held during the school year for students in Australian and New Zealand high schools. Formals are generally organised and run by a student committee, the members of which volunteer to do so...

, or simply Formal. If the event is in the final year of high school, it is sometimes called a Dinner-dance, Leavers' Dinner or Debutante Ball but can still be called a School Formal or Formal. In Australia they also have a Valedictory Dinner, which is like the formal but has students, parents and teachers instead of students and dates. The Formal celebrates completing the School Certificate

School Certificate

The School Certificate was a qualification issued by the Board of Studies, New South Wales, typically at the end of Year 10. The successful completion of the School Certificate is a requirement for completion of the Higher School Certificate...

at the end of Year 10, or Higher School Certificate

Higher School Certificate

The Higher School Certificate, or HSC, is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete senior high school level studies in New South Wales, Australia. It was first introduced in 1967, with the last major revision coming into effect in 2001. It is currently...

at the end of Year 12 and includes a dinner and dance. In year 11, students often organise a 'semi-formal' at the end of the school year, which is a more casual version of a formal

School Formal

. The Valedictory Dinner (or Val as it is colloquially called) is an event that only occurs in Year 12, about the same time as the Formal and also celebrates completing the Higher School Certificate

Higher School Certificate

. In New Zealand, most state school balls are held in the winter months, between June and August.

In American Samoa

American Samoa

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...

the typical Junior/Senior prom is held in most of the schools. And exception would be one of the private schools, which lets even 8th graders, freshmen, and sophomores participate in prom.

Central and South America and the Caribbean

In Argentina

Argentina

Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...

there are also proms or "fiestas de egresados" for students finishing their last year of high school. There are big parties for teenagers in local discos and graduates usually wear costumes to be identified from others. They usually hold formal dinners with parents too, but students dress formally.

In Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

, bailes de formatura are usual at the end of high school and at college graduation. There is no crowning of a "king" or a "queen," but evening gowns and suits are required. Family may or may not be included, and there may be a live band or DJ hired to command the music.

In Chile

Chile

Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...

, proms, or "fiestas de graduación" (graduation parties), are usually held at convention centers or hotels after the "licenciatura," or graduation from High School. They can also be held after taking the PSU

Prueba de Selección Universitaria

The University Selection Test or, as it is more commonly referred to, PSU, is a standardized university admissions examination used in Chile. It replaced in 2003 the Prueba de Aptitud Académica which had been working on since 1966....

(Chilean University Entrance Exam) in December. Students are expected to dress formally. They are allowed to go with dates, friends, or relatives. They usually start with people dancing a waltz and then dinner. After the dinner, the parents leave, and the dance continues through the night into the next day. Food and alcoholic drinks are available during the party.

In Colombia

Colombia

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...

many private schools usually have prom balls as well, usually consisting of a dinner, dancing, live music, and contests. They are usually held at hotels or clubs.

In Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....

, like many other American countries, the "Baile de graduación" is celebrated after finishing High School, where grade 11 is also the last year. It usually takes place before graduation to celebrate the end of school. It's normally held in hotels or saloons with a dance floor, music and dinner. It starts with the students walking through the dance floor and dancing a waltz

Waltz

The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...

. The dinner comes after, and the rest of the night consists of dancing and celebration.

In Honduras

Honduras

Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...

, they are called "Cena de Graduacion", they are held in luxury hotels, also familiars of the graduating students are invited to the event. The act consists on a formal graduation and deliver of their diplomas, after that, a dinner is held between the graduating students and their familiars or friends in the same room which later will become in a dance floor for everyone. After the Prom, the students rent a limo and take a ride all over their city to make them known as formal graduated students.

In Peru

Peru

Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....

, proms—"Fiesta de Promocion"—are usually held at hotels, convention centers, or big residences. The dress code is formal. Some parents and teachers are often invited, but they don't stay the whole night. Dinner is served as well as alcoholic drinks and delicatessen. Breakfast is often served the next day, at around 6–7 am. There is a growing tradition to hold a "Pre-Prom" for the students in the class below the graduating class, and even a "Pre-pre-Prom" for the students in the class below that.

In Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...

and most Caribbean countries, it is traditional for schools to hold a dance at the end of the CXC/GCE Advanced Level

GCE Advanced Level

The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...

examination period. This is thrown simultaneously for fifth form and upper sixth form students during the months of June or July after the school's official graduation ceremony. It is colloquially referred to as "grad" or "gradz". Most "gradz" are held in popular clubs, hotels, halls or simply on the school's grounds. Most schools allow students to bring dates, and a formal dress code is usually in effect.

In Uruguay

Uruguay

Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...

, graduation parties are usually held after graduation itself. They may or may be not organised by the school, but by the students itself. Usually a place is rent, and formal parties are held. Students are allowed to take one guest, as a friend or as a partner.

Homeschool proms

The concept of extending prom to homeschool students has been realized in recent years. In many cases, homeschool students are able to attend the prom in the school district where they reside. However, many homeschool groups also organize their own prom. Some states, such as Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

, also host Homeschool Prom, which any homeschool student in that state is welcome to attend.

Proms that are specifically geared toward homeschool students can often be significantly different from traditional high school proms. It is not uncommon for a homeschool student to attend a homeschool prom solo, for example, rather than taking a date. In some cases, parents may also attend with their sons or daughters.

Adult proms, prom re-creations and prom simulations

It has become increasingly common, especially in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, to create events that closely resemble high school proms, usually as fundraisers for charities, or even for profit. An example of the latter is The Awesome 80s Prom

Awesome 80s prom

The Awesome 80s Prom is an interactive off-Broadway show at Webster Hall described as a "blast-from-the-past party in the style of Tony n' Tina's Wedding and The Donkey Show set at Wanaget High's Senior Prom.....

, in which an audience participation theatrical play, set in an actual dance hall, is held every Saturday in New York City.

Re-creating proms for individuals who missed their original prom, and/or creating parties that simulate proms for charitable causes, has become a viable source of revenue for event planners in recent years. Some people who disagree with their school's prom policies might create private (unofficial) proms that are not under the control of the school; see anti-prom

Anti-prom

Anti-prom and morp is a social event often staged by high school students as a protest against, or boycott of, their school's official prom, as an alternative celebration...

for more information.

In some cases, friends, family members, or other individuals re-create a prom for a person who missed his/her original senior prom, usually because of illness requiring hospitalization

Illness

Illness is a state of poor health. Illness is sometimes considered another word for disease. Others maintain that fine distinctions exist...

, or another event which prevents one from attending his/her prom. In 2009, friends, family members, and hospital workers in Atlanta, Georgia re-created a prom for then-senior Raven Johnson, who was in a coma at the time of her original senior prom.

Adult proms for gay and lesbian adults who couldn't attend their prom with a date of the same sex are popular in some cities. Despite a 1980 court decision

Fricke v. Lynch

Fricke v. Lynch, 491 F.Supp. 381 , was a decision in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island that upheld the right of a gay student to bring a same-sex date to a high school dance. The Court ruled that existing free speech doctrine protected gay and lesbian students'...

that public schools must allow same-sex dates, many gay and lesbian high school students still feel uncomfortable taking a same-sex date to prom.

In 2007, Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore

Drew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...

hosted a prom-themed birthday party for a friend who missed her senior prom.

In 2010, Missouri high schooler Ron Blalock made national news when he took his 90-year-old great-grandmother, Hasselteen Rumba, to her first prom.

Controversies

Over the course of history, proms have been the source of many controversies, many of which involve LGBT rights.

In 2002, gay teenager Marc Hall was prohibited from taking his male date to his high school's dance; Hall sued and won.

In 2009, Tyler Frost was suspended for attending his girlfriend's prom, because his Christian high school disallowed dancing. Although the principal at Frost's school signed a paper allowing Frost to attend the prom, he said Frost would be suspended if he went, but Frost did so anyway.

In 2010, lesbian high school senior Constance McMillen requested to take her girlfriend to the prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School, where they were both students. The principal denied her request and prohibited her from wearing a tuxedo. When McMillen challenged the school's policy, the prom was canceled, leading McMillen to sue the school. Following a court decision forcing the school to hold the prom, local parents organized a second prom in secret, leaving Constance, her girlfriend and only 5 other students at the "official" prom.

Prom attire

Prom logistics and traditions

Related social gatherings

Africa

Asia

Europe

North America

Oceania

Central and South America and the Caribbean

Homeschool proms

Adult proms, prom re-creations and prom simulations

Controversies

See also