Staten Island HS Cheerleading Teams Advance to NHSCC Finals

NDA and Hill Academy both reach championship round in Small Varsity DII competition

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:15pm

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Notre Dame Academy (NDA) and St. Joseph Hill Academy, two Staten Island high school cheerleading teams, have both advanced to the Finals of the National High School Cheerleading Competition (NHSCC) in the Small Varsity DII division. NDA made program history by having both its Traditional and Game-Day teams reach the Finals, while the Hilltoppers from Hill Academy hit their peak performance at the right time to earn a spot in the championship round.

Why it matters

Reaching the Finals of the prestigious NHSCC is a major accomplishment for these Staten Island high school cheerleading programs, showcasing the talent and dedication of the athletes. The competition is a national stage that highlights the best cheerleading teams in the country, making this a proud moment for the local community.

The details

In the preliminary rounds, both teams put forth strong showings. NDA's Traditional team scored an 82.8 and finished third in their bracket, while Hill Academy's squad took a 0.5 deduction but still scored a 76.9. On Saturday, Hill hit a perfect routine to score a 79.2 and finish ninth overall, earning them a spot in the Finals. NDA's Traditional team took a one-point deduction but still scored an 81.8, good enough for fifth place and a Finals berth. The two Staten Island rivals will now go head-to-head in the championship round, with Hill performing at 5:08pm and NDA at 6:04pm on Sunday at the State Farm Field House.

  • NDA and Hill Academy competed in the preliminary rounds on Friday, February 1, 2026.
  • The Finals competition will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Notre Dame Academy

A high school cheerleading program from Staten Island, New York that has advanced both its Traditional and Game-Day teams to the Finals of the National High School Cheerleading Competition in the Small Varsity DII division.

St. Joseph Hill Academy

A high school cheerleading program from Staten Island, New York that has advanced to the Finals of the National High School Cheerleading Competition in the Small Varsity DII division.

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What’s next

The Finals competition will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2026, with NDA's Traditional team performing at 6:04pm and Hill Academy's team performing at 5:08pm.

The takeaway

This competition highlights the strength of Staten Island's high school cheerleading programs, with two teams from the borough advancing to the national championship round. It demonstrates the hard work and skill of the athletes, as well as the support of their local communities.