What is CAS?

The Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component of the International Baccalaureate Program is part of the core requirements of the IB Diploma, and many DP graduates consider it the heart of the Diploma Program. Participation in the IB CAS program encourages students to be well-rounded in terms of seeking out creative pursuits; promoting healthy lifestyles; developing civic mindedness; focusing on personal growth and responsibility; and building lifelong skills and practices. CAS is the link between practical learning and the application of that learning.

What are the seven learning outcomes of CAS?

Although CAS is not formally assessed, students must reflect on their CAS experiences and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes:

developing increased awareness of their own strengths and identified areas for growth
demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
demonstrating knowledge in how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
showing perseverance and commitment in activities
working collaboratively with others
engaging with issues of global importance
recognizing and considering the ethical implications of their choices and actions

For more information on the seven learning outcomes, visit the IBO Website.

What is required in CAS?

Ongoing planning, acting, documenting, and reflecting upon activities throughout the student’s IB program (all reflections will be done through the ManageBac program). CAS begins the first day of the student's junior year and lasts a minimum of 18-months.
While there is no set requirement of hours, the general expectation is that the student is regularly participating in CAS experiences for an average of about 1-2 days per week and have 2-3 ongoing experiences per term. There needs to be balance between all three strands of Creativity, Activity, and Service
Students are required to be involved in at least one project that is collaborative and integrates two or more strands of creativity, action, and service. This project is of significant duration (approximately 1-3 months from the planning stages through the conclusion of the project)
Evidence of achievement in all of the seven learning outcomes
Present all of the above-mentioned requirements in a CAS portfolio on ManageBac

CAS is not...

a class, activity, project which is already a part of the Diploma Programme, or for which you receive a "grade" for
an activity for which you are rewarded financially or with some other benefit (i.e. scholarship money)
doing simple, tedious, and repetitive work (i.e. filing paperwork, serving food at a parent's company party, organizing books on a shelf, handing out uniforms at a race )
a passive pursuit, such as visiting a museum, art exhibit, theater production, concert, or sporting event
all forms of duty within the family (this includes extended family)
religious devotion and any activity that may be interpreted as proselytizing
work experience which only benefits the student
fundraising with no clearly defined goal
activities which may cause division amongst different groups in the community, including activities that are political in nature

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