As a homeschooler, I remember all too well the days of wondering if I’d ever get to experience the classic high school event, prom. After all, if goin’ to the movies with your friends wasn’t exactly a common experience for most homeschoolers, how could we hope for an experience as special as prom?
But then something changed. Out of nowhere, proms began springing up in homeschool communities everywhere! From small intimate gatherings in church basements to extravagant events at fancy venues, homeschool proms were becoming a reality. It was amazing to see how homeschool families came together to create these events, with parents chipping in to help decorate, and older homeschoolers volunteering to be chaperones. It was clear that these proms were not just about dancing and dressing up, but also about creating a sense of community and belonging among homeschoolers. Now, going to prom is something that I will always treasure as a special memory from my homeschooling experience.
The early days of homeschool proms – when they were small, intimate gatherings
In the early days of homeschool proms, the event was much more low-key than it is today. It started out as small gatherings with a few parents and students. Most often, hosts would rent out a community center or church hall for a night and set up tables and chairs for their guests.
The decorations were minimal, often just streamers, balloons, colorful table linens, and purchased centerpieces for each table. There were no expensive prom dresses or suits – students would dress up in whatever they had in their closets or put together outfits that spoke to their individual style.
The menu was usually kept simple – often just finger foods like sandwiches and chips – or there might be potluck dishes brought by families attending. There might be music playing (often provided by one family) in the background, but kids had plenty of room to dance around if they wanted too. The event was more about connecting with friends in an intimate setting than anything else.
Rather than extravagant decorations or luxurious refreshments, the early homeschool proms were all about:
- Connecting with friends.
- Having fun together as a community.
- Opening up conversations between different generations of homeschoolers who wanted to share experiences.
- Encouraging older students stepping into adulthood.
- Celebrating graduating seniors!
In other words, there wasn’t much to them.
The growth of homeschool proms and the changing needs of students
As a homeschooler, I’ve watched with interest as the homeschool prom scene has grown and changed over the years. When I first heard about proms for homeschoolers back in 2006, it seemed like a dream too good to be true—teenagers could finally experience what their public school peers had been enjoying since time immemorial. Then, when these small events started cropping up in different states and countries around 2005, they were intimate little gatherings; students and their parents often met up at a local park or church fellowship hall to enjoy music and dancing while eating snacks they brought from home.
But over the past decade, I’ve noticed that the atmosphere of these early proms changed drastically. Nowadays, it seems like every state has multiple elaborate proms put together by local homeschooling families—these events take place in ballrooms or banquet halls that feature photographers, professional DJs and even catered meals served from chafing dishes. It appears as though sometimes the parents are just as eager as their children to raise money for an extra-special celebration!
In my opinion, this sudden shift speaks to something larger at work here: a growing awareness of the unique challenges homeschooled teens face, especially after they finish high school when they must make adjustments to life apart from other students who have experienced structured education programs all their lives. With more supportive communities recognizing this need for teenage milestones and providing resources, I imagine this changing trend of ever more extravagant proms will continue in years to come.
How to plan a successful homeschool prom
As a homeschooler, attending school prom was a rare opportunity to dress in my finest and be celebrated by my peers. As I got older, I created prom opportunities for my community. Starting with a simple gathering of homeschoolers and friends, I soon learned how to plan an unforgettable event.
Before you get started on planning the perfect homeschool prom, it’s important to do your research. Look into the legal requirements of your area- what type of permit are you required to acquire? What kind of people need to be present during the event? Take this time to review local laws and regulations and standard safety protocols that will help ensure everyone has a great time.
For organization, make sure you have someone who can keep track of RSVPs and payments for tickets if necessary- software like EventBrite or online surveys can come in handy here! Consider Transportation: If appropriate or necessary, plan for picking up guests from bus stations or airports or arranging group rides from fancy horse carriages. You’ll also want someone responsible for setting up decorations ahead of time and keeping track of any excess supplies throughout the night (plates for food are always useful!) The host should also consider high-quality party favor bags as a special touch – don’t forget homemade cookies!
Onsite at Prom Night itself, you will need more than your average DJ and some dancing: Think interactive games, an impromptu photo booth backdrop with props, maybe even an ice cream truck! Besides this traditional fare, though, consider creating something more ‘current’ like a TikTok dance competition (with prizes awarded at the end). And don’t forget about catering- no prom is complete without delicious eats! Make sure your menu caters not just adults but any kids who might attend— kosher options are always welcome too!
In the end, these parties aren’t only about making sure everyone has fun that night but providing an unforgettable experience; one worth talking about till the next year’s prom comes around! Use creative ideas & themes in order to make it extra special; if budgets are tight, consider fundraising ideas such as bake sales or sponsorships from local businesses that appreciate homeschooling. Getting creative can go a long way here in having success with planning such special events for our unique learning community.
Prom etiquette for both students and parents
In recent years, homeschool prom has become a popular tradition for many dedicated homeschool families. And as this once small-scale event grows in popularity, so do the expectations for appropriate conduct at the occasion. Prom etiquette is an important consideration for creating an enjoyable night for both students and parents alike.
For the students attending prom, etiquette is really all about respect. Rudeness or disruptive behavior can diminish everyone’s time spent celebrating this special milestone. It’s important to remember that some fellow attendees may have varying opinions – respectful dialogue and communication should always be maintained between students at homeschool prom events.
Parents should remember that they are there to support their child – not to become intrusive or overbearing during their child’s milestone celebration. It’s essential for parents to give young adults enough space to enjoy themselves while still being available if needed. It’s also important to respect other attendees while at the event and be mindful of any decorations that may need monitoring; too often we find unnecessarily snagged streamers or broken decorations come morning!
Overall, homeschool prom might look different from its traditional public school counterpart, however with good etiquette practices in place, this special evening will set a foundation for years of fond memories ahead!
The future of homeschool proms
Looking to the future of homeschool proms, there is much optimism and hopefulness in the air. Will they continue to be an intimate occasion with “friends and family” vibe or will they attract more attendees and become a full-blown celebration? One thing’s for sure: There will always be excitement in the air as attendees break from their everyday routines and dress up for this event.
The rise of homeschool proms has opened up a plethora of opportunities for young adults looking for an activity that celebrates their graduation and/or recognition year without having to compete or perform auditions. Not only has it helped bridge gaps between classmates, but it has created memories that will last them a lifetime.
As the years go on, these celebrations may become even larger affairs— complete with DJs, catering services, dance floors, limousines and special surprises galore! To add even more glamour to the experience, professional photographers can capture these beautiful moments so that we can enjoy forever them. And perhaps most important of all: professional suites or venues so that guests can take part in these occasions without worry.
The options are seemingly endless for visioning what wonderful things could come from homeschool proms in future years! Given their intimate history dating back decades ago, I believe there is incredible potential to continue honoring homeschoolers by creating unique events with amazing aesthetics— all made even more special by the distinct culture behind each one; making unique traditions out of every celebration, no matter how small!
