Prom has been around since about the 19th century. It became extremely popular in the early 1930s and, though waned in popularity over several decades, resurged and became the norm in American high schools through the ‘80s.
Various policies have been in place across high schools throughout the country.
The Mead High School Prom attendance policy states that any students who have five or more days of unexcused absences, in other words, 20 missed class periods, will not be allowed to attend prom. Some students have shared that they take issue with this policy.
I believe it is a completely fair policy because prom is a privilege and not a guarantee. Attending prom is not a constitutional right.
If a student doesn’t follow attendance rules, then the student should not be allowed to attend.
MHS’s current prom attendance policy (which includes tardies) has been in place since Dr. Brian Young became the head principal in 2021, though Mead did have an absence policy in relation to prom in the past.
This policy is in place to encourage upperclassmen to attend school and hold them accountable if they don’t.
Even though kids have to pay a good deal of money to go to prom (60-90 dollars per ticket), it is important to be present and on time for school.
I feel like school is a student’s main responsibility so if they don’t go, prom should be taken away. Prom is a big part of the “high school experience,” but if students don’t show up to class for an excessive amount of time, they shouldn’t be able to attend prom.
I do understand that prom is a tradition and it can be expensive (from hair, makeup, and rides) there is still a 76 percent chance that teenagers plan to attend prom, because it is important to them.
They will want to attend classes in order to go to prom.
I also feel that our policy is gracious. Other schools in our district such as Erie High School only allow nine missed class periods before revoking prom. Others don’t have any prom policies, resulting in students not attending classes because there are no serious consequences. Mead’s policy is fair while improving students’ attendance. I think that some schools are too strict and some are too lenient, whereas Mead’s is the perfect middle.
That being said, it looks like next year, various dance policies will become standardized.
Dr. Young said that it would be easier if principals got consistent across high schools in Saint Vrain. He said their goal is to “get the same guest form[s] and expectations [set].”
Schools will share the rule that individuals who graduated just the year before are allowed to come — either from Saint Vrain our surrounding districts.
He also said it is important for schools to know which students are attending, in order to keep students safe. I, personally, agree with this.
What’s most important is that when students don’t attend school, ethics begin to be questioned. When kids do not have consequences for skipping school and being late very often, it will become a habit that lasts throughout their whole lives and can impact work and their personal lives.
While it may not be popular, I strongly believe that the prom attendance policy is more than fair.
