Teams from Smith's Hill High School, St Joseph's High School and Bomaderry High School outshone dancers from across the region during performances over the past month to make it to the grand final.

The schools will pit their talents against the state's best in front of a 9000-strong crowd as part of the Premier Division final.

They have been hard at work over the past few weeks, putting the finishing touches on their spectacular sets and costumes and brushing up their choreography.

Almost 3000 primary and secondary students from NSW have been busy rehearsing their eight-minute dance, drama and design spectaculars set to contemporary music ready for tonight's finals.

Event manager Fiona Wilkie said the issues students explored on stage was evidence of the power of the arts to engage young people with important issues.

"It really is inspiring to see these students' positive and informed views on the world around them and the future they want to create," Ms Wilkie said.

Performances will be judged on a range of criteria including design, performance and production elements, costume and character, choreography performance skill, concept, drama, and soundtrack.