A prom chaperone is a school-approved adult who supervises students at prom, ensuring everyone follows school dance rules, supports student safety, and manages any unexpected incidents. Their presence helps create a memorable yet secure prom night.
This article will discuss why schools need chaperones, typical responsibilities, and dos and don'ts to ensure that kids are supervised and to help everyone have a safe and fun time.
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A prom chaperone offers several benefits on a senior's big night. Here are some to consider.
Although prom chaperones are not a legal requirement, they can help schools meet certain obligations as follows:
Schools are liable for student injuries that occur due to negligence. Adult prom supervision is necessary as chaperones can spot and stop unsafe behavior, reducing the risk. They promote prom safety and support a safe and healthy environment.
Chaperones must be trained and background checked to ensure they don't pose a threat to students and understand their duties clearly. Here are some steps schools can take to ensure a safe experience.
A Sentencing Project study reveals up to 100 million Americans (around one in three) have criminal records. Not every crime makes someone unfit to serve as a prom chaperone, but schools should conduct background checks to ensure the candidate is suited for the task.
Background checks examine a person's history. They can determine prior arrests and convictions, past employment, and education verification. However, in a school setting, the priority is to ensure the chaperone does not endanger the students.
To conduct a background check, the school must first have:
Next, the school must brief the individual to ensure they understand the rules of chaperoning and what's involved. Here's what the process may entail.
Prom is one of the most memorable events in a student's high school journey. As a chaperone, your role is pivotal in creating an environment that's fun, memorable, safe and secure. Schools trust you to uphold their standards and ensure the prom event runs smoothly.
Here's a quick guide to your key responsibilities:
Pre-prom duties include:
Chaperones may attend meetings and receive materials, preparing them for prom night. They may also attend a mandatory briefing session, typically held 30-60 minutes before prom.
During this time, you should familiarize yourself with chaperone prom rules, emergency exits, venue layout and safety procedures to be fully prepared for unexpected events.
Chaperones keep students safe and contribute to the fun, greeting students as they arrive.
Assist students in checking tickets or the guest list, greeting attendees warmly, and briefly reviewing essential prom night duties and expectations. Pay attention to early indicators of issues such as intoxication or inappropriate attire.
Be prepared for prom night emergencies by knowing emergency exit locations, first-aid kit stations, AED (Automated External Defibrillator) placements and having emergency contacts handy. Review the school's emergency protocols prior to the event.
Maintain constant communication with other prom chaperones and school administration using walkie-talkies or mobile devices. Report incidents or unusual behavior promptly to prevent them from getting out of hand.
Provide active supervision by regularly circulating key areas such as the dance floor, restrooms and exits. This visibility helps supervise prom attendees and address issues promptly.
Ensure strict adherence to school policies, including dress code, respectful conduct, and no-substance-use rules. Firm but friendly enforcement of these prom night safety guidelines ensures a safe environment.
Establish regular communication and coordination with other chaperones and staff members to ensure cohesive supervision throughout the event. Regular check-ins and collaboration help ensure a consistent and unified approach to prom safety and student well-being.
As a prom chaperone, be readily available to assist students with any questions or concerns they may have throughout the prom. This can range from providing directions around the venue to helping with minor emergencies like wardrobe malfunctions.
As the event draws to a close, ensure that all students leave the venue safely. Coordinate with transportation services as needed and verify that each student has a safe and reliable way to reach their destination, whether headed to an after-party or just going home.
After the prom concludes, actively participate in a debrief session with the school administration and other chaperones. Share your feedback on the event, including any challenges encountered and suggestions for future improvements. You can even include a prom survey to gain valuable feedback. This process will help improve future events.
Following these simple Dos and Don'ts can help chaperones balance their responsibilities, ensuring students have fun and stay safe throughout prom night. Being prepared and proactive makes supervising prom attendees easier and contributes positively to everyone’s experience.
| DOs for Prom Chaperones | DON’Ts for Prom Chaperones |
|---|---|
| Attend chaperone training before prom night to clearly understand your responsibilities. | Don’t wait until prom night to ask about your chaperone duties. |
| Carry a flashlight to easily supervise dimly lit areas like hallways or parking lots. | Don’t assume all areas will be brightly lit or easily visible. |
| Dress professionally to set a good example for students and reinforce your authority. | Don’t dress too casually, as it may affect students’ perception of your role. |
| Communicate clearly with students about rules and expectations, keeping interactions friendly but firm. | Don’t use harsh language or raise your voice when enforcing school dance rules. |
| Keep your phone charged and ready for quick communication during prom night emergencies. | Don’t become distracted by your phone or use it for personal tasks during supervision. |
| Work closely with other chaperones to provide coordinated supervision throughout the prom. | Don’t leave your assigned supervision area without informing another adult. |
| Take notes of any incidents clearly and immediately, so you can easily recall details later. | Don’t rely solely on memory to report issues to school administrators. |
| Be approachable and supportive, helping students who have questions or feel unsafe. | Don’t ignore students’ concerns, even if they seem minor or unimportant. |
| Follow through on departure duties, ensuring all students leave safely at the end of prom. | Don’t leave your post early or without coordinating with other high school dance supervisors. |
| Do have fun — although your primary goal is keeping kids safe, you should be prepared to take pictures, mingle, and dance a little. | Don’t take pictures and post them on social media — doing so may be considered inappropriate. |
| Do remind students to be careful. This is your top priority. | Don't overreact. Students may do some daring things at prom, but your main priority is to draw the line when they put themselves or others in danger. |
Finding the right balance between strict and friendly approaches helps you handle your prom chaperone responsibilities effectively, creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable prom environment for everyone. Here's an overview of the pros and cons of each approach
| Chaperone Style | Pros | Cons | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strict |
|
|
Best for situations requiring firm enforcement, like rule violations or safety issues. |
| Friendly |
|
|
Ideal when interacting socially, assisting with minor issues, or encouraging a relaxed atmosphere. |
The key is finding a balance between the two. Here are some tips that will help you achieve that goal.
A school event chaperone should only intervene when they recognize a potentially or imminently dangerous situation. Their approach varies based on the type of incident. Here are some examples:
| ✔️ | Task |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Complete background check |
| ☐ | Attend mandatory pre-prom briefing |
| ☐ | Review venue layout, emergency exits and safety protocols |
| ☐ | Ensure communication device (walkie-talkie or phone) is charged |
| ☐ | Arrive 30–60 minutes early |
| ☐ | Assist with check-in (tickets, guest list) |
| ☐ | Monitor for early issues (e.g., intoxication, dress code violations) |
| ☐ | Confirm location of first-aid kits and AED |
| ☐ | Circulate key areas during event (dance floor, restrooms, exits) |
| ☐ | Enforce school rules (no substances, proper behavior, dress code) |
| ☐ | Coordinate regularly with other chaperones |
| ☐ | Be available for student questions or concerns |
| ☐ | Record any incidents clearly and promptly |
| ☐ | Ensure students leave safely at the event’s end |
| ☐ | Participate in post-event debrief with school staff |
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Before the big night, every prom chaperone should participate in a short but focused training session. This meeting—usually held 30 to 60 minutes before the event—helps prepare volunteers by reviewing key school chaperone responsibilities and what to do in different situations. A well-run briefing ensures that every high school event goes smoothly and safely.
Sample talking points for your chaperone training:
Location of emergency exits, first-aid kits, and AEDs
School rules for student behavior and dress code
How to handle and report prom night emergencies
Where chaperones should be stationed and when to rotate
How to log and report incidents (use of radios, phones, or forms)
What to do if a student appears intoxicated or distressed
Dress code expectations for chaperones
Communication protocol with school administrators and security
Reminders about being alert, approachable, and consistent
End-of-night duties and final venue walkthrough instructions
Prom is a special event for seniors. A prom chaperone ensures the night goes off without a hitch, but preparation is necessary. Chaperones should undergo background checks, attend debriefings to ensure they know how to deal with specific situations, familiarize themselves with the venue layout, and strike a balance between enforcing rules and maintaining a fun environment.
Vanco's prom planning tools can help. They provide guidance, ensuring chaperones are ready for the big night. These resources save time and ensure success at the big event.
Planning a prom can be a real burden for everyone involved. That's why we built a free kit to help you pull off the big event! It has everything you need, including:
148 Fundraising Ideas: Creative ways to raise funds for prom.
Theme Ideas: Popular prom themes with decor tips.
Promotional Flyers: Customizable flyers to promote your event.
Budgeting Spreadsheet: Easy-to-use budget tracker.
Prom King/Queen Voting Templates: Materials to organize voting.
Safety Guidelines: Essential prom safety tips.
Feedback Survey Template: Collect attendee feedback easily.
Vendor Negotiation Tips: Tips for securing vendor deals.
Emergency Plan: Guide for managing event emergencies.
Chaperone Handout Template: Clear list of chaperone duties.
Thank You Card Templates: Show appreciation to supporters.
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