DP Service

Across the two years of the program, students in the Diploma Program (DP) are asked to complete a balance of activities that are representative of Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). 

CAS activities CAN (but are not required to) relate to learning in other DP courses.  Examples provided by IB include: creative writing, producing audiobooks of existing texts, language lessons or support for non-native English speakers, recording/collecting histories from people residing in care facilities, creating/maintaining a community garden, forming a science club or hosting one at a elementary/middle school, help tutor kids in math, help keep financial records for a charity, take dance or music lessons for a performance, take part in a community arts exhibition, etc, etc, etc.  

For DP students, CAS activities can build upon the service experiences that students participated in MYP.  

With all CAS activities, students should be striving to achieve one of the seven learning outcomes listed below, though it is not always possible.  In the end, each learning outcome should be achieved and documented at least once in the duration of the program. ManageBac reflections should indicate the learning outcome(s) achieved and the way that the outcome(s) was met.

1. Identifying own strengths and develop areas for growth.

2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.

5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively. 

6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

As a part of their CAS experiences, students will complete a CAS project.  

This project will be started and explained in greater detail through the TOK classes, but is a part of the students' required service activities. The CAS project should cover at least the duration of one month, and should be a project/activity that the student(s) lead. The students are allowed to work alone or in a small group for the project.  And in the course of the activity, they will keep a more detailed portfolio that documents the process that they undertake in planning and implementing the project. 

Across the span of the two years of the Diploma Program, students must meet a few requirements. 

• Students must achieve each of the seven learning outcomes at least once. 

• Students must complete and document a CAS project.

• Students must complete and document a minimum of three CAS activities per year. While a specific number of hours are not required, we suggest that a total of near 150 hours across the two years is needed to achieve all other requirements.