This is done in consultation with school officials like teachers and the principal. Proms are not cheap. Depending on parents' and individual teens' financial circumstances, hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on the Prom. In some places, there is almost an entire day devoted to pre-prom preparation, with a party to commemorate the event. In most cases, it is expected that teens will go with a date.
Boys usually ask girls for a date to the prom in advance of the event.
This is the part of the Prom, which is sponsored by the school. It is usually a dinner, followed by mixed-sex dancing all under the supervision of teachers. Alcohol is usually not served here, since most of the participants are under 18, and they may not legally be allowed to buy or be sold alcohol, depending on local laws. This is the party following the above-mentioned dinner. This is where the sex, drugs and rockn' roll aspect of the Prom becomes most evident.