CAS is an important part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

It is a required component of the Core along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE).

CAS students take part in a range of experiences and at least one project.

The CAS strands are defined as:

Creativity - exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance
Activity - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
Service - collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need

The clip below gives an introduction to CAS

IB DP - CAS.mp4

So, what is CAS?

CAS experiences are real, purposeful activities, with significant outcomes, personal challenge and thoughtful consideration involving planning, reviewing progress, reflecting on outcomes and personal learning.

CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies. Students must reflect on their CAS experiences and provide evidence of achieving the seven CAS learning outcomes in their CAS portfolio.

CAS aims to put the skills, experience and knowledge gained within the Diploma Programme into practice, requiring the students to demonstrate attributes of the learner profile, such as being open-minded, principled, a good communicator and being reflective. The aims of CAS are designed to allow students to develop a CAS program which is individual to them. It enables them to focus on things which they enjoy, asks them to reflect, encourages them to focus on challenges and personal growth and to fully engage with issues in their local area and wider world.

CAS is the IB Mission Statement and Learner Profile in Action

The IB mission statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.