Pep squads are found in high school

High school

High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

s, middle school

Middle school

Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...

s and sometimes, elementary school

Elementary school

An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...

s in the United States. The pep squad's main duty is to promote school spirit. Pep squad members make posters, cheer for school sports teams, and help with pep rallies

Pep rally

Pep rallies are events that occur primarily in the United States and Canada. A pep rally is a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school and college age, before a sports event. The purpose of such a gathering is to encourage school spirit and to support members of the...

. During games, pep squads lead cheers and chants. A pep squad is often similar to a cheer leading squad, but is usually a separate organization. In some cases, a dance team serves as a pep squad. Pep squads and cheerleaders often perform the same or similar kinds of routine, although they differ in costume and style.

Pep squad uniforms vary by school. A traditional uniform is a skirt and a top in school colors. Sometimes pep squads use pom-poms. Some squads, especially those that perform intensive dance routines, wear colorful dance costumes.