Cheer Program
PEKIN PARK DISTRICT CHEER PROGRAM
Welcome to CHEER!
Our cheer program is designed to help athletes build confidence, teamwork, strength, flexibility, leadership, and proper cheerleading technique in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment. Students begin by learning the fundamentals of cheer before progressing through our recreational program, where advancement is determined by demonstrated mastery of skills rather than age. The online registration portal is located at the bottom of this page, after the class descriptions and placement policy.
Our Cheer Pathway
Cheer Prep (Friday 5:00–6:00)
Cheer Foundations (Wednesday 5:00–6:00)
Cheer Progressions (Wednesday 6:00–7:00)
Advanced Cheer (Wednesday 7:00–8:00)
Cheer Open Gym (Friday 6:00–7:30)
About Our Classes
Cheer Prep
Ages: 4 Years & Older
Class Length: 60 Minutes
Schedule: Fridays | 5:00–6:00 PM
Description
Cheer Prep is the required starting point for all athletes new to the Pekin Park District Cheer Program. Students learn the fundamentals of motions, jumps, voice projection, beginning tumbling, teamwork, performance skills, and basic stunting in a fun and encouraging environment. This class builds the confidence and foundation needed to safely advance into our recreational cheer program.
Prerequisite:
None. All new athletes must successfully complete Cheer Prep before advancing to Cheer Foundations.
Cheer Foundations
Placement: Skill-Based
Class Length: 60 Minutes
Schedule: Wednesdays | 5:00–6:00 PM
Description
Cheer Foundations builds upon the skills introduced in Cheer Prep while continuing to develop proper technique, teamwork, confidence, and performance quality. Athletes improve motions, jumps, tumbling, beginning stunts, choreography, and overall cheer fundamentals. Students advance through instructor evaluation and demonstrated mastery of skills.
Prerequisite
Successful completion of Cheer Prep or instructor evaluation.
Cheer Progressions
Placement: Skill-Based
Class Length: 60 Minutes
Schedule: Wednesdays | 6:00–7:00 PM
Description
Cheer Progressions introduces more advanced cheer skills while continuing to strengthen technique and confidence. Athletes continue developing tumbling, jumps, stunts, choreography, conditioning, and performance quality while preparing for Advanced Cheer.
Prerequisite
Successful completion of Cheer Foundations or instructor evaluation
Advanced Cheer
Placement: Skill-Based
Class Length: 60 Minutes
Schedule: Wednesdays | 7:00–8:00 PM
Description
Advanced Cheer is the highest level of the Pekin Park District Cheer Program. Athletes continue refining advanced tumbling, stunting, jumps, choreography, conditioning, leadership, and performance skills. Instruction emphasizes safe skill progression while encouraging athletes to perform with confidence and strong technique.
Prerequisite
Successful completion of Cheer Progressions or instructor evaluation.
Cheer Open Gym
Placement: Currently Enrolled Cheer Athletes
Class Length: 90 Minutes
Schedule: Fridays | 6:00–7:30 PM
Description
Cheer Open Gym provides additional supervised practice time for currently enrolled cheer athletes. Participants may work on tumbling, jumps, motions, flexibility, conditioning, choreography, and stunt progressions while receiving instructor guidance. Open Gym is designed to supplement weekly classes by providing extra opportunities to practice and improve skills in a safe environment.
Prerequisite
Enrollment in a current Pekin Park District cheer class.
Class Placement & Advancement Policy
Our Tumble and Cheer programs are skill-based, not age-based. Students are placed in the class that best matches their current skill level. Instructors continually evaluate each athlete’s progress and will determine when they are ready to advance to the next level.
Parents and guardians are asked to remain outside the Tumble, Dance, and Cheer rooms during class. This helps students stay focused and allows instructors to safely utilize the entire practice space.
Attire
- All cheerleaders are required to purchase a PPD Cheer performance uniform to participate in performances.
- For practice, cheerleaders should wear their red PPD shirt and black shorts.
- Cheerleaders should wear clean, white tennis or cheer shoes that are used indoors only.
- Cheer families are required to join the PPD Cheer Squad on BAND. Each athlete should have their own BAND profile using the athlete’s first and last name and a photo of the athlete.
- BAND is used for cheer-specific schedules, practices, performances, events, announcements, and other important information.
Communication
All Tumble, Dance, and Cheer families should join our Facebook group, PPD Tumble, Dance & Cheer. This is where we share general program announcements, reminders, special events, and other important information.
Registered participants will receive email details about Band profiles.
If you have any questions regarding your child’s class, placement, attire, uniforms, or program requirements, please contact the Program Coordinator, Shaylynn, via email at ppdtcd@pekinparkdistrict.org.