What is The NSSC Points Race?

👑 National School Spirit Champions

The National School Spirit Championships will crown America’s most spirited schools through a NSSC Points Race. Winners will be named in Junior High and High School for both weekends in DI and DII. And there’s even up to $75,000 in prizes and awards! 

Schools will earn points based on their highest placement in each championship – NHSCC, NDTC, NSBC. Earn extra points by competing in the new Spirit Program Game Day Divisions. Learn more about the NSSC Points Race here!

Schools with the most points at the end of the weekend will be named the National School Spirit Champions and crowned America’s Most Spirited Schools. The higher you place, the more points you earn. 

Are you a new Coach or Band Director coming in NSSC in 2026? Explore our NSSC New Coaches Resource page HERE for a “How-To” guide on all of the steps to attend the National School Spirit Championships!

🏆 DI Points Race Winners

Congratulations to Thompson Middle School from Alabaster, AL on winning the Junior High National School Spirit Championships Points Race for Division I. 

Congratulations to the following teams for their placement in the National School Spirit Championships Points Race in Division I.

Rank School Name City, State NHSCC Points NDTC Points NSBC Points Spirit Program Game Day Points Total Points
1 Thompson High School Alabaster, AL 240 245 250 250 985
2 Los Alamitos High School Los Alamitos, CA 195 245 235 245 920
3 Lake Creek High School Montgomery, TX 225 125 245 240 835
4 Centennial High School Peoria, AZ 250 230 0 235 715
5 Eaglecrest High School Aurora, CO 235 220 0 250 705
6 Independence High School Thompsons Station, TN 215 0 240 250 705
7 Lafayette High School Lexington, KY 240 210 0 240 690
8 Chaparral High School Scottsdale, AZ 220 245 0 220 685
9 Yorba Linda High School Yorba Linda, CA 150 240 0 245 635
10 Collierville High School Collierville, TN 150 240 0 240 630
11 Cherokee Trail High School Aurora, CO 235 175 0 220 630
12 Mater Dei High School Santa Ana, CA 200 175 0 250 625
13 Cherry Creek High School Englewood, CO 245 150 0 230 625
14 Hendersonville High School Hendersonville, TN 225 150 0 245 620
15 Jenks High School Jenks, OK 125 250 0 235 610
16 Beech High School Hendersonville, TN 240 240 0 125 605
17 Central High School Baton Rouge, LA 250 125 0 225 600
18 Chaparral High School Parker, CO 210 150 0 235 595
19 Barbe High School Lake Charles, LA 175 240 0 125 540
20 Ponte Vedra High School Ponte Vedra, FL 250 125 0 125 500

Note: Ties are broken using the highest points awarded for Spirit Program Game Day divisions. If still tied, the total number of teams the School competed against across all Championship events. 

🏆 DII Points Race Winners

Congratulations to Station Camp Middle School from Gallatin, TN on winning the Junior High National School Spirit Championships Points Race for Division II. 

Congratulations to the following teams for their placement in the National School Spirit Championships Points Race in Division II.

Rank School City, State NHSCC Points NDTC Points NSBC Points Spirit Program Game Day Points Total Points
1 Bishop Amat High School La Puente, CA 240 245 125 250 860
2 Teurlings Catholic High School Lafayette, LA 250 250 0 250 750
3 Goodpasture High School Madison, TN 125 225 125 240 715
4 Saint Joseph High School Lakewood, CA 225 230 0 250 705
5 Brentwood Academy Brentwood, TN 235 200 0 245 680
6 Father Ryan High School Nashville, TN 190 230 245 0 665
7 Holy Family High School Broomfield, CO 210 220 0 230 660
8 Gretna High School Gretna, NE 230 250 0 175 655
9 New Hope High School Columbus, MS 0 150 250 245 645
10 Burncoat High School Worcester, MA 0 125 240 250 615
11 Picayune Memorial High School Picayune, MS 250 125 0 240 615
12 North Vermilion High School Maurice, LA 150 230 0 235 615

 

Note: Ties are broken using the highest points awarded for Spirit Program Game Day divisions.

🏅Prize Breakdown

High School Division (DI & DII Each)

  • 1st Place – $20,000
  • 2nd Place – $10,000
  • 3rd Place – $5,000

Junior High/Middle School Division (DI & DII Each)

  • 1st Place – $5,000

How it Works: 

Schools will accumulate points based on their highest placement in each of these Championship events:

  • National High School Cheerleading Championship
  • National Dance Team Championship
  • National School Band Championship

Bonus Opportunity: 

Earn extra points by competing in the new Spirit Program Game Day Divisions!

How You Can Use Your Prize

All prize money can be used across Varsity Spirit, including:

  • Summer Camps for cheer, dance and band.
  • Team apparel
  • Custom branding and signage through VIP Branding

Schools with the most points at the end of the weekend will be named the National School Spirit Champions and crowned America’s Most Spirited Schools. The higher you place, the more points you earn. 

Are you a new Coach or Band Director coming in NSSC in 2026? Explore our NSSC New Coaches Resource page HERE for a “How-To” guide on all of the steps to attend the National School Spirit Championships!

Rules & Regulations

NSSC Points Race Rules & Regulations

Open to public or private high schools and junior high/middle schools located in the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, or any U.S. territory (including Puerto Rico) that are eligible to compete at the 2026 National School Spirit Championships (“NSSC”). Recreational cheer programs are not eligible. Automatic entry upon NSSC registration; no separate form required. Standard NSSC registration fees apply. Contest runs Jan. 30–Feb. 8, 2026. Schools earn cumulative points from eligible NSSC Championship events. One counted result per event; four maximum. Top cumulative scores in each division (HS DI, HS DII, JH/MS DI, JH/MS DII) win. Tie-breakers apply. Prizes include trophies and Varsity Spirit credit; credit expires in 1 year, may be used incrementally for new purchases only, and has no cash value. Approximate aggregate credit value up to $75,000. Sponsor decisions final. Subject to Official Rules. Sponsored by Varsity Spirit LLC, 711 N. Front St., Ste. 100, Memphis, TN 38107.

Varsity Spirit credit is awarded to eligible winning Schools only and expires one (1) year after issuance. Any unused portion is forfeited. Credit may be used incrementally toward new purchases or registrations only and cannot be applied to existing or past-due balances. Credit may be redeemed for Varsity Spirit competitions, apparel, camps, and conferences. Credit has no cash value, is non-transferable, and may not be sold, assigned, or exchanged. Additional terms apply; see Official Rules CLICK HERE.

National School Spirit Championship