At $165 a ticket, this year’s ticket price for senior prom is sparking mixed reactions among students. Although the price remains similar to previous years, such as $160 in 2024, some Seniors and PGs have still chosen not to attend due to the high cost.
Prom has taken place at the State Room in Boston since the COVID-19 pandemic, which is positioned above the Sixty State Street skyscraper and can accommodate over 1,200 guests. Christopher Capano, the Director of Student Activities, stated the cost of tickets are venue-dependent, elaborating on the cost breakdown and factors that determine the price of attendance.
“The prom ticket prices are based solely on what it costs to have the prom event happen. Prices everywhere are going up. Inflation is a universal kind of thing, which is a problem. We hold prom in a very nice venue in Boston. We have to transport you guys all to the prom, so we have to pay for the buses, and the prices for everything have gone up. We just divide by every 320 kids going to the prom,” said Capano.
The cost increase has left some students in need of assistance. Adelaide Morales ’25 conveyed that the price made sense, but necessitated more financial support accorded by the school.
“Due to the economy, it’s going to be increasing anyway. It has to increase to keep up with the amount they have to pay to provide for us during the event. I think they should also be prepared to pay for people on financial aid who don’t have that type of money lying around. Yes, it’s a big occasion, but for many people, prom is a rite of passage. People shouldn’t have to pay for a rite of passage or tradition at this school. The school should be able and willing to pay for certain people’s prom tickets,” said Morales.
Capano explained that the price isn’t meant to prevent students from attending prom, and discussed that the school currently offers financial support for Seniors.
“As far as I understand, financial aid covers you depending on your financial aid award. If you’re on 100 percent financial aid, you get 100 percent of your prom ticket covered. If you get 50 percent aid, they pay for half of your prom ticket. That part is the subsidized part. We have to pay for the prom somehow. We can’t [decrease the cost] unless the prices of prom making go down. We can’t be lowering our prices,” said Capano.
Some students expressed confusion over the high ticket price. Emma Capaldi ’25 commented on the significance of prom and expressed her view on the impact of increased prices.
“I do feel like the prices are quite high. Students don’t really know what the money’s being used for and what they need for the vendors, but it’s quite high. It’s unfortunate that they can’t really reimburse us for that price. Prom is such a big part of our graduation, and it’s something that everyone really looks forward to,” said Capaldi.
Other preparatory schools, such as Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter), have similarly priced proms. Capano added his comparison of the quality of venue and price of Andover’s prom to that of Exeter’s.
“We understand it’s expensive. It is very expensive. There’s no other way to put it. It’s very comparable to other schools’ prom. Exeter charges the exact same amount, and no offense Exeter, I think our venue is way better than theirs. Their venue is nice, but I think our venue is nicer. But that’s what kind of facilities cost these days. And what they do, I spoke to Exeter yesterday to take curiosity, and they have the same setup and transportation. Their prices are exactly the same as ours and we’ve been less than them until this week when we cut up,” said Capano.
