At our school prom there were lots of kids that did not come with dates. The school set up a dance card system for them. I think I even remember a couple of the teachers dancing with some of the students that were having a difficult time finding someone to dance with.
Yes, it was better to go with a date but it was not a "key" to attendance and those without a date were not locked out. Maybe they don't let kids in without a date any more.
“Maybe they don’t let kids in without a date any more”.
Unless this school is very different than ours, they still do. In fact, I have a good friend and her daughter just went to the Prom with her friends. They had an absolutely wonderful time. The parents all chipped in for a limo, they went to dinner together, danced till their feet were hurting and slept over at one house. Two of the girls have boyfriends that were away at college and couldn’t get back for the Prom. Three of the girls don’t have beau’s but wanted to have a good time with their friends. From what I heard... it was a wonderful time for them.