I went to a private high school in the 80s and it was "Family Style".

We had a huge lunch hall that had individual hardwood round tables that seated 10-12. A teacher was assigned to the table and students had pre-assigned tables to be at. Each table had 2 of the students designated as "waiters". Their job was to (a) go get the food from the kitchen area and (b) clear the table (and reset it) after we were done eating.

The food was served in standard flatware and it was passed around the seating. It was always entree and a couple of sides. Meatloaf, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn. Or something like that. Dessert was some kind of cakes or pudding, sometimes cookies. All of it cooked in a huge back kitchen.

There was also a few full salad bars.

I think back and can't believe how incredibly fortunate I was throughout middle and high school.