Editing Prom (section)

==Related social gatherings elsewhere==
===Africa===
In Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania most private schools with [[expatriates]] have proms or "end of year socials".

==== Egypt ====
In Egypt, private schools have proms similar to ones held in the United States but with slight differences. The prom is held for a maximum of 3 hours, where teachers attend and enjoy some time with their students. Then there is the "after-prom", where no teachers or parents are allowed, during that time, the real party begins with all the students dancing and enjoying their time. The after-prom can continue to 4 am and 5 am. In some places, there is no mingling of males and females due to adherence to the Islamic codes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journalism.nyu.edu/publishing/archives/livewire/archived/prom_without_boys/index.html|title=The Prom without Boys - NYU Livewire|website=journalism.nyu.edu|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232448/https://journalism.nyu.edu/publishing/archives/livewire/archived/prom_without_boys/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== South Africa ====
In South Africa, 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 in various schools across the country throughout the year, starting in February and most of the last few dances for the year happening in late November after final examinations. 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.

The Matric Dance has become one of the most popular occasions on the South African social calendar, but not without much controversy for its cost that, it is said, "could be as much as some people's weddings". The magazine saying this elaborates: "Many parents will be torn between wanting to spoil their youngsters and wanting to resist the extravagance of handing over thousands of rands for a dress or suit that will probably only be worn once."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.za/how-to-budget-and-plan-for-matric-dances-part-i/|title=How to budget and plan for matric dances Part I|date=25 July 2012|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415212301/https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.za/how-to-budget-and-plan-for-matric-dances-part-i/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Zambia ====
In Zambia, private schools have a "leavers' dance/dinner" that is planned out by the grade 11 class and takes place on the Saturday after the Friday of their graduation ceremony. The dance is planned for the grade 12 class as well as the upper sixth form class and is normally done the 1st Friday after both of the classes are done writing their A-Level and IGCSE examinations. The dinner begins at 7 pm and the grade 11 class pose as the servers as well as the entertainment throughout the duration of the dinner. The dinner ends at midnight and is followed by the "after-party" which is celebrated at another venue (usually a club) with no parents and no teachers. Costs for renting out the venue are covered by selling tickets to outsiders and the party is usually planned by the graduating classes themselves.

===Asia===

==== Hong Kong ====
In Hong Kong, prom culture is inherited from the western countries and is generally called a ball, such as Christmas Ball. This usually takes place during Christmas and summer break. This is more popular in the secondary education stage rather than in universities. Schools, excluding international schools, holding proms are usually single-sex schools where normally the student unions in the schools will cooperate with each other in organizing the event. In recent years, more and more individual unions got united and formed different student unions associations so as to organize large-scale events including large joint-school proms. Except for those proms within the academic field, there are also adult proms for charity yearly where celebrities and government officers always go to these functions.

==== South and Central Asia ====
In India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, the equivalent to some extent 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. There are also a couple of dances due to the influence of American culture and movies in India.

In Pakistan, there is a prom or farewell function that takes place at the end of the college academic year. Students dress in formal attire. The event ends with a photography session with the graduation.

In Afghanistan, there is a lunch party organized by the graduating students and called "graduation party." This is mostly seen in the university level graduation after the 16th class with a bachelor's degree, this day all the university seniors, faculty members, and professors are invited as honors. There is no mingling of males and females due to strict adherence to the Islamic codes.

In Bangladesh, an event called 'Rag Day' is held at the end of 10th grade and 12th grade. There the school authority decorates the school and make musical arrangements. The students take celebratory preparations like making a uniform T-shirt (generally white) to commemorate the day. The juniors of the school also spend money, help organize the party and give farewell to the seniors. At the end of the party, graduating students play with powdered colors and signs on each other's t-shirt to mark all the friendships they made in their school life.

==== Western Asia ====

In Lebanon, proms are held after the graduation ceremony at night. They are usually held at hotels with a formal dress code, prom dates, rented cars, and, occasionally, prom kings and queens. The interaction between males and females is not limited.

In Turkey, 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 graduation tradition for seniors.

==== Southeast Asia ====
In the Philippines, proms are popular in high schools. Prom usually takes place in the junior and senior years of high school (especially grades 9 to 12), normally around February or March. Proms are commonly known as ''JS prom'', or, junior-senior prom. Conversely, if a high school has separate dances for juniors and seniors, the term "prom" is reserved for the juniors, and the dance for the seniors is called a "graduation ball" (often abbreviated as "grad ball" or simply "ball"). 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 Singapore, proms are held at the near end of a senior year for secondary schools or tertiary institutions. Proms are normally held after the final examinations of all senior students before graduating.

In Vietnam the equivalent to the prom is called ''[[liên hoan cuối năm]]''. Some schools hold their liên hoan cuối năm at restaurants, but the majority of schools prefer simple "tea parties" with snacks and soft drinks inside their classrooms. Unlike in other countries, students don't dress up in dresses or tuxedos; they simply wear school uniforms to the tea parties.

===Europe===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2013}}

====Albania====
In Albania, "mbrëmja e maturës", as graduation night, is the event held at the end of the senior year. Every school organizes it independently and the event usually takes place in June or July.

====Benelux====
In Belgium, as well as in some parts of the Netherlands, 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 plenty 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 the Netherlands, households where a child who has passed their high school exams often hang the student's backpack on a flagpole which is attached to the front of the house.

====Bulgaria====
In Bulgaria, the ball is called ''abiturientski bal'' and is held at the end of 12th grade, when you are aged 18/19. Preparations for the ball begin at the end of the 11th grade, because students are supposed to organize the whole event. It is celebrated in May, mainly on the 23rd, 24th, or 25th, after finishing exams. Students can bring a date to the event which is usually held in a restaurant or a club. Usually, before the main event there is a big gathering in front of the high school's building, where graduates count to 12 (as in 12 grades) and take photos with each other before going to the restaurant called ''izprashtane'' ("farewell send off"). At the main event in the restaurant/hotel, there is music, usually pop and retro. Students are free to dance with whomever they want, even if they have come with a date. The school director and the 12th-grade teachers are also sometimes invited. There is usually an afterparty at a dance club. Some people even organize a second afterparty. After the prom night, students usually go on an excursion together for 3 to 5 days. The popular destinations are the [[Black Sea]] coast and Turkey. The event is often associated with excess in drinking and having sex.

====Czech Republic====
In the Czech Republic, the last year in ''[[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]]'' is celebrated with ''maturitní ples'' ("graduation ball"). This ball takes place before exams are taken, usually in January or February, the traditional season for balls during the ''[[Carnival in Germany, Switzerland and Austria|Fasching]]'' (e.g., [[List of balls in Vienna]]). Normally, balls are formal but modern elements are included, too. The students invite their parents, other relatives, and friends to come to the ball with them. The balls usually have a theme and the classes perform choreographed dance routines at the beginning or during the evening. The students also receive a ribbon. It's common that various artists are invited to perform at the ball, ranging from fireshow performers to famous celebrities. At midnight, the classes perform a "midnight surprise performance" – typically some sort of funny act. Sometimes several schools organize a joint event. The income is often used to finance a collective voyage of the students after the exams.
[[File:Maturalna zabava u Čakovcu 2023.jpg|thumb|A matriculation dinner in [[Čakovec]], [[Croatia]], 2023.]]
====Former Yugoslavia====
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia, ''maturalna večer'', ''maturska večer'' or ''matursko veče'', as graduation night, is the event held at the end of the senior year. In Croatia, it is sometimes held in January or February.

====Denmark====
In Denmark, the prom is called ''galla'' and takes place before the exams begin. The word ''galla'' refers to the dress code which is dresses for the women and suits for the men. The prom in Denmark is well known for keeping the traditional dance [[Les Lanciers]], where the third graders of high school (the seniors) start the whole dance, then the 1st and 2nd graders join later on (the high school, called "gymnasium" in Denmark, is three years).

====Estonia====
In Estonia, the equivalent of the prom is often called ''Saja päeva ball''. The event takes place 100 days prior to graduation and may be organized with several schools altogether. Students can dance but other events may be involved, too, besides ballroom dancing. The clothes are much the same kind as in the proms of other countries.

====Finland====
[[Image:Vanhain tanssit ransk koulussa.jpg|thumb|right|''Vanhojen tanssit'' in the [[Lycée franco-finlandais d'Helsinki]], a [[French people|Franco]]-[[Finnish people|Finnish]] school in [[Helsinki]], Finland|219x219px]]
In Finland, the equivalent of the prom is called ''vanhojen tanssit'' (senior ball). The event is held in February when third-year high school students (the ''abi'') end regular classes in order to prepare for their final ''[[abitur]]'' exams, and the second year students become the oldest in the school. For the remainder of the school year, the second-year students are called ''vanhat'' ("the old", or " the seniors").

For the ball, the second-year students learn 10–15 formal dances, mostly old ballroom dances such as the [[mazurka]] or a [[polonaise]]. Lately, some schools have begun to allow students to perform their own choreographies with their chosen music, after or in between the old ballroom dances.

In the past, the style was to dress in Victorian gowns and in an old-fashioned way, but these days the attire is similar to U.S. proms. Usually, girls wear a long princess gown or a ball gown and the boys wear a black suit.
After the ball, the students sometimes attend a dinner in the evening, which is sometimes in a very formal restaurant. Students typically throw a party in the evening to celebrate further.

====France====
[[File:Couple of students in Paris.jpg|thumb|upright|Couple of students in Paris, 2013.]]

In France, high school students have only recently experienced prom. On June 27, 2013, more than 300 students in Paris, France held a prom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/espace-premium/paris-75/un-bal-de-promo-solidaire-27-06-2013-2931837.php|title=Un bal de promo solidaire|date=27 June 2013|work=leparisien.fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raje.fr/archives2/3202-decouverte-the-bal-de-promo-solidaire |title=RAJE - les sons d'aujourd'hui et de demain - Radio, musique, information, culture - DECOUVERTE -- the bal de promo solidaire |access-date=2013-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202657/http://www.raje.fr/archives2/3202-decouverte-the-bal-de-promo-solidaire |archive-date=2013-10-29 }}</ref> Event planning company White-Tie-Affair partnered up with multiple local companies to host the [[:fr:Bal de promo|"Solidarity Prom Ball"]] charity gala. Food, drinks, venue, limousine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.donnons-leur-une-chance.org/bal-de-promo-solidaire.html |title=Bal de Promo Solidaire - Donnons leur une chance |access-date=2013-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204008/http://www.donnons-leur-une-chance.org/bal-de-promo-solidaire.html |archive-date=2013-10-29 }}</ref> as well as gift bags were sponsored by the different companies and provided for the students for free. On top of that, famous French music groups Psy4 de la Rime and Alibi Montana were the guest performance of the evening. All proceeds from the students' entrance fee were donated to Donnons Leur Une Chance, a French non-profit organization<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.donnons-leur-une-chance.org/qui-sommes-nous.html|title=Qui sommes nous?|work=Donnons leur une chance}}</ref> that will help realize educational projects.

====Germany and Austria====
In Germany (and Austria), students celebrate their graduation from [[high school]], or [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]], with an '''Abifeier''' (from the graduation certificate or [[Abitur]]) or '''Maturaball''' (in Austria, the graduation exam is called [[Matura#Austria|Matura]]). In Germany, the events are informal and usually contain a series of student-organized activities that tend to make fun of teachers, sometimes with an extended [[hagiography]] about the favorite teacher. In Austria, the Maturaball is formal and can be seen as a synergy of proms and cotillions and often are highlights of the regional ball season (between November and the end of Carnival) referencing the glamour of the great ball tradition of the former [[Austria-Hungary|Austrian-Hungarian monarchy]]. More like the prom is the German '''Abiball''', that follows the official graduation ceremony. Here the students usually wear suits and ball gowns. The Abiball often follows a certain order with a welcome, introductions, an award ceremony for students, and sometimes an extended demonstration of all of the artistic outpourings of the students and staff. This is followed by a band (sometimes the school's own band, if there is any) or a DJ playing music, usually starting with a [[waltz]] before moving on to other dancing. Alcohol is available at these events since the [[Alcohol laws in Germany|legal drinking age in Germany]] is 16 (for beer and wine), and most graduating students are 18 or older.

====Hungary====
In Hungary, students receive a 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". Many of the students wear this ribbon on their jackets or shirts until graduation. This prom-like evening dance is traditionally held in the ball season of January–February, but November-December has gained popularity in recent years as well. At the beginning of the ball, after a short speech by the headteacher, each student gets the ribbon from their form teacher who pins it on their jacket or dress. Then a series of choreographed dances begin, which the students learned during the months leading up to the event. The first one is traditionally a dance called "palotás" (palace dance) performed by students from different classes, then each graduating class performs their own class dance, and finally, there's a waltz, which is also performed by students from different classes. Occasionally, the teachers of the school perform a dance as well. After the ball of the evening organized by the school, students usually go out at night to drink to bars and discos, even if some of them are below the drinking age (18 in Hungary).

After they graduate, each class has its own party (without choreographed dances) usually at a restaurant, where their teachers are also invited. This is called ''érettségi bankett'' (graduation banquet).

====Ireland====
In most of the [[Republic of Ireland]], a school leavers' dance is called a "[[Debs (ball)|Debs]]" or "[[Debs and grads|Grads]]", except in [[County Donegal]], where, similar to most of the rest of [[Ulster]], it is usually called "the Prom" or "the Formal". In girls' schools, it is commonly referred to as a Debs (short for "[[Debutante ball]]", though less formal than the high-society event sharing that name in other countries), and in boys' and coeducational schools, it may be referred to as a Grads or Grad (short for [[graduation]]). It is typically a formal dance for students who are graduating from [[Secondary school in the Republic of Ireland|secondary school (high school) in Ireland]] and is traditionally held between September and October. Alcohol is almost always served at these events, with a meal also being common.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/debs-ball-ruled-unirish-by-licence-judge-26173965.html |title='Debs' ball' ruled un-Irish by licence judge|last=Healy|first=Tim|date=1998-09-12|work=The Irish Independent|access-date=2018-12-17}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://trinitynews.ie/head-to-head-debs-balls/|title=Head to Head: Debs' Balls |last1=Costello|first1=Roisin|date=November 2, 2010|work=Trinity News|access-date=20 July 2015|last2=Clarkin |first2=Sarah}}</ref>

====Lithuania====
In Lithuania, the prom is held after final exams, usually the same day when high school diplomas are presented. The event is called ''išleistuvės''.

====Norway====
In Norway, this event varies from school to school. It is usually held during the winter months, and is often called "Nyttårsball" which means "the new years ball." The students are not allowed to bring people from outside the school. In Norway, it is the norm to have proms for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders at Norwegian middle school, and most of the time, there is no division between formal and grad – students can attend in whatever clothing they choose, such as traditional knee-long dresses.

====Poland====
The Polish equivalent of the prom (''[[studniówka]]'') is a very popular event held each year throughout the country; the word itself means "of or relating to 100 days". Most schools organize such an event about 100 days before the ([[matura]]) exam session. The first dance of the prom is the traditional Polish [[polonaise]]. In the past, the dress code for the ''[[studniówka]]'' was the same as for final exams, i.e. a white blouse or shirt with a dark skirt or trousers. As opposed to the ''[[studniówka]]'', formal attire is required for the so-called Grand Ball ("bal maturalny"), held after graduation. Nowadays, as Grand Balls are rare, the ''[[studniówka]]'' has adopted a formal dress code.

====Portugal====
In Portugal, there was no prom tradition. However, during the last few years schools have adopted such a celebration. Usually, they happen before the end of the school year, in May or June, and are called "Baile de Finalistas" (Finalist's Ball). Male students customarily wear [[Suit|business suits]] with [[Necktie|dress ties]] or optionally semi-formal [[black tie]], while female students typically wear [[dress]]es or [[evening gown]]s, although most schools do not enforce a strict dress code beyond "vaguely formal". It is usually organized by a student association, elected at the beginning of the school year by the students to organize school events.

Although it happens in the majority of the country, on [[Madeira|Madeira Island]] the tradition is a bit different. Instead of having the prom at the end of the year, the seniors have a ceremony called "Benção das Capas" (Cape's Blessing), where they all use suits, including the girls, and a cape that is blessed by the city's cardinal. Afterward, the students have dinner with their friends and family and then go to the prom. However, this prom isn't formal, it ends up being similar to a club but in a different location, although sometimes it may happen at a club. Such a location is chosen by the student association. This ceremony ends up being very similar to one that the Portuguese students have when they finish college. The students only have a date to attend the first ceremony and they tend to go to the prom as groups.

====Romania====
In Romania, 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, respectively. 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, or a restaurant. 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.

====Belarus and Russia====
[[File:Московский выпускной — 2017 в Парке Горького 7.jpg|thumb|Students at a prom in [[Moscow]], Russia.]]
In Belarus and Russia proms are called "Vypusknоi vechеr" (''Выпускной вечер''), which literally means "graduation evening". They take place from the 18th to the 20th or the 23rd to the 25th of June, after the 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 [[Operation Barbarossa|German invasion]] during [[World War II]]. First, all graduates receive their 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 the sunrise in the morning (on a hill, if applicable, in Moscow&nbsp;– [[Sparrow Hills]]).

====Slovakia====
In Slovakia, the closest thing to 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, as well as dancing. Men wear formal suits and women formal dresses. One week before Stužková is a ceremony of Pečatenie triednej knihy (Sealing of the grades book) so that teachers will not be able to give tests or do examinations of the students until Stužková. It is connected with some story and recorded on camera and then used as a part of the video of Stužková. It usually starts at 6 p.m. and ends in the early hours of the next morning (4a.m.).

====Slovenia====
In Slovenia, 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.

====Spain====
In some places in Spain, proms are also celebrated as after-school parties. These parties are commonly called "fiestas de graduación", which can be translated as "graduation parties".

====Sweden====
In Sweden, this kind of event is usually known as "Studentbalen". The word "Studentbalen" is a [[proper noun]] 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.

====Switzerland====
The Swiss equivalent of a prom is the ''bal de printemps''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ypulse.com/swiss-teens-celebrate-spring-with-bal-de-printemps |title=Swiss Teens Celebrate Spring With 'Bal de Printemps' |publisher=Ypulse |date=2009-04-28 |access-date=2010-03-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724004140/http://www.ypulse.com/swiss-teens-celebrate-spring-with-bal-de-printemps |archive-date=2011-07-24 }}</ref> Literally translated, this is a "Spring Ball."  At some schools in the German-speaking cantons, it is called "Maturaball." This is not always organized by the schools, but sometimes by a student's committee. It takes the most part before the final exams.

====Ukraine====
In Ukraine, prom is called "Vypusknyi vechir" or simply "vypusknyi" (''Випускний вечір'' or simply ''Випускний''), which literally means "graduation evening". The date is defined by a school,;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/ministerstva-osviti-i-nauki-ukraini-pro-organizovane-zavershennya-2017-2018-nr-ta-osoblivosti-provedennya-dpa-u-zakladakh-zagalnoi-serednoi-osviti.pdf|title=Ministerstva osviti i nauki Ukraini pro organizovane zavershennya 2017-2018 : Nr ta osoblivosti provedennya dpa u zakladakh zagalnoi serednoi osviti|page=1|website=Kmu.gov.ua|access-date=15 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ua.censor.net.ua/news/3048957/daty_vypusknyh_vechoriv_ta_ostannih_dzvinkiv_vyznachaye_shkola_samostiyino_lyst_minosvity_dokument|title=Дати випускних вечорів та останніх дзвінків визначає школа самостійно, - лист Міносвіти. ДОКУМЕНТ|website=Ua.censor.net.ua|date=6 February 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref> usually any date from late May to mid-June. Usually, "vypusknyi" consists of two parts. The first one called "urochysta chastyna" (''урочиста частина'', that means "solemn part"), during which graduates receive their diplomas and certificates of honor for exceptional achievements during studying. The first part is conducted in the first part of the day, while the second part usually starts in the evening. The time between the two parts is used to walk around a city and take some pictures. The second part, "neofitsiyna chastyna" (''неофіційна частина'', that means "informal part"), starts as a school ball, but after a round of waltz, it transforms into a conventional party. The venue of the second part is determined by graduates and their parents; usually, it takes place in school, cafe, restaurant, on a boat or at the country. Traditionally, the second part is attended by graduates, their parents, and teachers. However, school teachers and parents don't mix with graduates. The second part ends with sunrise. Usually, each city has one or a few locations that are the most popular for watching a sunrise. That is why schools try not to have proms on the same date.

===Oceania===
{{refimprove section|date=June 2023}}
In Australia and New Zealand, the event may often be described as a Ball, '''School Formal''', or simply ''Formal''. If the event is in the final year of high school (Year 12 for Australia, Year 13 for New Zealand), it is sometimes called a Dinner-dance, Leavers' Dinner or Debutante Ball but is also commonly called a School Formal or "Formal."  In Australia, some schools may also have a Valedictory Dinner, which is like the formal but has students, parents, and teachers instead of students and dates. Some Australian schools also have a ''Semi-formal'' for year 11 (16-17) students.

As the name suggests, attire for the occasion is generally formal.<ref name="Reuters 2006-07-21">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-04-14/online-prom-photoshop |title=21 Century Gentleman's Guru Suits and Tuxedos |publisher=[[Times Newspapers]] |date=2017-05-30 |page=B14 |access-date=2020-07-12 |quote=senior guys indulge themselves with prom suits }}</ref> Boys will usually dress in a [[suit (clothing)|suit]] and [[neckties|tie]]. Girls traditionally wear formal [[gown]]s or [[Dress (garment)|dress]]es. In most cases a school formal is held at a local reception center or [[ballroom]]. A [[multicourse meal]] is generally provided.  After the meal students generally [[dance]] to popular music played by a hired [[DJ]] or sometimes a band. Many students group together to go to the formal in a [[limousine]]. While parents do not attend a formal, teachers may act as [[Chaperone (social)|chaperones]] for the formal and [[security guard]]s are sometimes hired. The use of chaperones is intended to prevent the occurrence of [[violence]] and alcohol or drug use. Generally, after a formal, one or more after-parties are held.

In addition to the high school graduation "formal" that marks the end of Year 12, in [[New South Wales]], Australia, there is also an event that is sometimes held to celebrate completing the [[School Certificate (New South Wales)|School Certificate]] at the end of Year 10, and always held after receiving [[Higher School Certificate (New South Wales)|Higher School Certificate]] at the end of Year 12 and includes a dinner and dance. The NSW Government announced the abolition of the School Certificate after 2011, with students in year 10 that year being the final cohort to sit the external examinations and receive the qualification. Subsequent Year 10 "Formals" have been deemed "unnecessary" due to the fact that the majority of Year 10 students now progress to Year 11. In previous years when 25–30% of students left high school in Year 10, the Formal was seen as a celebration for those departing, however, Year 10 Formals are still sometimes celebrated in the name of tradition. In year 11, students occasionally organize a "semi-formal" or "social" at the end of the school year, which is a more casual version of a [[School formal|formal]]. If a school has a sister school the social is typically organized in conjunction with them, as a "social event" for people to mingle and meet new people. The Valedictory Dinner (or Val as it is colloquially called) is an event that only occurs in Year 12. In New Zealand, most state school balls are held in the winter months, between June and August, while in Australia, a "formal" is held at the end of the year to mark the end of schooling, as is the Valedictory Dinner.

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

===Mexico===
In Mexico, most high schools and junior high (middle) schools have proms only for the graduating class (seniors), which is sometimes, depending on whether the school is private or public, preceded by a church service. The students dress in formal wear and may attend in couples. Some colleges have an after-graduation dinner dance.

The formals, or as called in Mexico ''galas'' or ''graduaciones'', are normally held in the school's gymnasium or in the schoolyard if the school is located in a low-income neighbourhood; normally, though, public schools located in high- or medium-income neighbourhoods and private schools rent a ballroom, usually in a hotel, and students and parents may chip in to cover the costs of the party.

A [[multicourse meal]] is often offered in private schools' proms; [[Mexican street food|antojitos]] may be offered in low-budget proms instead.

===Central America, South America and the Caribbean===
Venezuelans also have a prom, commonly referred to as "graduación" or "fiesta de graduación." It can consist of dancing, dinner, and live music.

In Argentina, there are "fiestas de egresados" for students finishing their last year of high school. These consist of big parties hosted by the senior students in local discos or other venues, starting at 10 p.m. until about 5 or 6 in the morning. They have dinner with parents and other members of the family, which may be at another venue such as the school, and on a different night altogether. After midnight friends and other guests join the dance. The parties start in late September after most students come back from their senior trip, commonly to [[Bariloche]], and last until early December, after the graduation. The students may dress formally or casually, and the seniors may wear themed costumes.

In Brazil, ''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. The family may or may not be included, and there may be a live band or DJ hired to command the music.

In Chile, 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 [[Prueba de Selección Universitaria|PSU]] (Chilean University Entrance Exam) in December. Students are expected to dress formally. They are allowed to go with dates or friends. After the dinner, the dance continues through the night into the next day.

In Colombia, 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 Panama and Costa Rica, 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]]. The dinner comes after, and the rest of the night consists of dancing and celebration.

In Honduras, they are called "Cena de Graduacion", they are held in luxury hotels, also familiars of the graduating students are invited. This event is held only for private schools, the act consists on formal graduation and delivery 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.

In Peru, proms—"Fiestas de Promoción"—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. Prom students often graduate being 15-16 years old and start university right after.

In Trinidad and Tobago and most Caribbean countries, it is traditional for schools to hold a dance at the end of the [[CXC]]/[[GCE Advanced Level]] 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, the most usual is to make a senior trip after graduation instead of a graduation party, common destinations are [[Florianópolis]] and [[Bariloche]]. However some schools or the students themselves may also organize a party. Usually, a place is rented, and formal parties are held. Students are allowed to take one guest, as a friend or as a partner.