TCAPS Learning, Enrichment & Athletic Program

About Middle School Cheerleading

Cheerleading consists of many skills. Cheerleaders are required to lead the spirit and energy the crowd directs towards the football team. We know by studies that players often perform better when they are given positive attention from the people in the stands who are there to support them. Cheerleaders at the middle school level will be taught age appropriate cheers, chants, flexibility skills such as splits and jumps, and tumbling. For safety reasons, TCAPS does not allow stunting and/or flying during the sideline cheerleading season.

Fall Season Start Date:

Monday, August 17, 2026 or later.

East Middle School

Practice Schedule:

Practice will run 5:30 -7:00 pm Monday - Thursday. Athletes will meet in the cafeteria at EMS.

• August 17th - 20th: 5:30 -7:00 pm
  • Parent Meeting: Monday 8/17 immediately after practice from 7:00-7:30 pm in the cafeteria.

• August 24th - 27th:  5:30 -7:00 pm
• August 31st - September 3rd: 5:30 -7:00pm
• September 7th- No Practice (Labor Day)
• Practices/games from September 8th and beyond will be communicated by Coach Tina. 

Coach: Tina Preston
Email: tinapreston09@gmail.com

What to Bring: Water bottle, cheer shoes, extra clothes.

West Middle School

Practice Schedule:

Meet in the balcony at WMS.

August 24th - 27th from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

August 31st - September 3rd from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

Beginning September 8th, practices will be Monday through Thursdays from 2:45 pm to 5:00 pm.

Coach: Chelsi Cruz
Email: tcwmscheer@gmail.com

Admission Prices:

Admission will be charged for all spectators at home contests.

• General Admission - $5.00
• Children 5 & Under - Free

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Game Schedule:

Middle School Cheerleading cheers at HOME football games.  Cheer teams may occasionally travel across town to cheer at EMS, WMS or SEAS if arragned by the coach.  Football games are typically held on Wednesdays at 4:00/5:30 PM. Exact schedules will be communicated by your coach.  The tentative 2026 Football schedule is below:

Week	Date	TC East	TC West	TC West 7/8
1	Wednesday 9/9	@ Gaylord	SEAS	@ Frankfort
2	Wednesday 9/16	BYE	BYE	vs Evart
3	Wednesday 9/23	TC West	@ TC East	vs Pine River
4	Wednesday 9/30	Alpena	@ Kingsley	@ Manton
5	Wednesday 10/7	@ Petoskey	@ Gaylord	vs Lake City
6	Wednesday 10/14	SEAS	Petoskey	@ Benzie
7	Wednesday 10/21	@ Cadillac	Alpena	BYE

3 STEP PROCESS TO REGISTER:

1) Eleyo Registration & Payment 

Deadline: Sunday, August 2nd, 2026.

*Registration deadlines are final. Late registrations may not be accepted after the posted registration close date. If late registration is available, there will be a $25.00 late fee added to the cost of registration.

• TCAPS Student Full Fee: $150.00
  • Reduced fees are available to TCAPS students who qualify for the free and reduced meals program
    • Reduced Meals Participation Fee: $75.00 if registered by the deadline
    • Free Meals Participation Fee: $50.00 if registered by the deadline

• TCAPS shared-time students: $190.00
  • Trinity Lutheran, GTACS, Children’s House
  • Reduced Rates are not available for any shared-time students.
    
• Non-TCAPS students: $215.00
  • Grand Traverse Academy, Greenspire, Homeschool, Pathfinder, Woodland, TC Christian
  • Reduced Rates are not available for any Non-TCAPS students.

NOTE: Payment is required at the time of registration. You may register online using a Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or ACH (via a checking or savings account) please register below. Registration is not complete until your course appears in your dashboard. You will also receive an email from Eleyo confirming your registration. If you need assistance please call the LEAP office (231.933.7480).

2) Final Forms:

• ALL STUDENTS MUST REGISTER FOR A FINAL FORMS ACCOUNT IN ADDITION TO REGISTERING/PAYING.
• Please register at: https://traversecity-mi.finalforms.com and follow the prompts to create your account, create your students, and sign your forms.
• If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “Use Support,” or feel free to contact our office. NOTE: During parent registration, you will need to input your students’ TCAPS email address. 

3) Sports Physicals:

Middle School Athletes must have an updated physical on file each school year. Sports physicals must be dated April 15th, 2026 or later, & can be used for the entire '26-'27 school year. Your athlete MAY NOT attend practices/evaluations etc. until this is on file. Once obtained please UPLOAD it directly to your athlete's FINAL FORMS account (Preferred) or email it directly to: lawrencebo@tcaps.net

• Need a new physical? Download and print the TCAPS physical form here and then call your family physician or the TCAPS Student Health Center at (231-642-5291) to schedule a physical for your child.