They are a single word because a highschool is not a school that is high, the 2 words being together have more meaning than themselves. I don’t see how that would apply to cheerleader though, since they are quite literally leaders of the cheer.
They are separate words because a highschool cheerleader is literally that, a cheerleader of a highschool. And a highschool cheerleader captain is the captain of the cheerleaders of a highschool, no more meaning.
They are a single word because a highschool is not a school that is high, the 2 words being together have more meaning than themselves. I don’t see how that would apply to cheerleader though, since they are quite literally leaders of the cheer.
They are separate words because a highschool cheerleader is literally that, a cheerleader of a highschool. And a highschool cheerleader captain is the captain of the cheerleaders of a highschool, no more meaning.