DP Core 

CAS is a compulsory part of the Diploma Programme for both - candidates taking the full Diploma and those following the certificates programme. Through CAS experiences, students should develop greater awareness of themselves, concern for others, and the ability to work cooperatively with other people. Students are encouraged towards group and team activities, and undertaking new roles.

Creativity means the arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking. 

Activity is physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the Diploma Programme. 

Service is an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.

CAS experiences should continue on a regular basis for as long as possible throughout the two-year programme, and certainly for at least 18 months. The guideline for the minimum amount of CAS engagement is approximately the equivalent of half a day per school week, with a reasonable balance between creativity, activity and service. 

In order to complete the CAS requirement, students must provide evidence that they have met all 7 of the learning outcomes below. Some may be demonstrated many times, in a variety of experiences. It is the quality of the activity (its contribution to the student’s development) that is of most importance.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify own strengths and 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 recognise the benefits of working collaboratively

6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

7. Recognise & consider the ethics of choices and actions.

For more INFO about CAS at DISV, please click on the button below.

Diploma candidates must complete and submit an extended essay, which is a substantial piece of independent research of up to 4,000 words. Work on the extended essay is expected to occupy approximately 40 hours.

The work for an extended essay must be done under the direct supervision of an appropriate teacher at the school.

Students will be introduced to the extended essay in Grade 11 and provided with full details regarding the requirements, criteria, support from supervisors.

(Students at DISV registered in the IB Courses programme are not required to submit the Extended Essay.)

For more INFO about EE at DISV, please click on the button below.

Diploma candidates must follow a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, which is taken as a scheduled lesson of 2 periods per week (120 minutes) in Grade 11, and in Semester 1 of Grade 12.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of the variety of subjective and ideological biases impacting its existence, and to develop the ability to analyse evidence that is expressed in rational arguments. Based in the six subjects that the students choose to study, as well as the CAS programme, TOK enables students to evaluate - compare and contrast -  the philosophical foundation of the knowledge around us. TOK seeks to develop,  the abilities to distinguish between good and poor reasoning; to spot intentional or accidental bias (in oneself and in others), and to spot inconsistencies within the processes of knowledge production. 

In addition to its critical thinking aspect, the TOK course recognises that intellectual tools are double-edged, and encourage certain dispositions such as a willingness to challenge one’s own deeply–held convictions, a willingness to hold ourselves to the same standards to which we hold others, as well as the willingness to entertain opposing views charitably. In this way, the course encourages openness, intellectual honesty and where appropriate, an intellectual humility.

To meet the Theory of Knowledge assessment requirements students must prepare a TOK Exhibition (internal assessment), as well as submit a TOK Essay  (external assessment) from a list of six prescribed  titles, specifically published for each examination session.

For more INFO about TOK at DISV, please click on the button below.