through the year. I think it's great to have a few special dances that allow the kids to ask for a date, get dressed up, etc. Homecoming, Prom, and whatever the girls' choice dance is are fine as date dances. The rest can be "everyone come" dances.
Kids need more opportunities to do things like ask a girl out, plan a date including creating a budget for it, etc. We shouldn't be removing those opportunities from them.