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Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

“...if you believe in something, you must not just think or talk, or write, but must act." – Peterson (2003)

The Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) component is at the heart of the IB program and is one of the three essential elements in every student's experience. It involves students taking part in a range of activities alongside their academic studies. CAS enhances students’ personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and helps them develop their own identities.

  • Creativity means the arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
  • Activity is physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
  • Service is an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.

CAS also enables students to see the importance of reflection and developing self-awareness. The CAS experience stays with students long after they have graduated. Successful completion of CAS is mandatory for IB Diploma candidate.

For student development to occur, CAS should involve:

  • Real, purposeful activities with significant outcomes.
  • Personal challenge – tasks must extend the student and be achievable in scope.
  • Thoughtful consideration, such as planning, reviewing progress and reporting.
  • Reflection on outcomes and personal learning.

​All proposed CAS activities must meet these four criteria. CAS activities should continue on a regular basis throughout the program. IB Prep ninth- and 10th-graders should begin thinking about CAS activities; IB juniors and seniors should be involved in those activities over the 18 months of their junior and senior years.

As students consider activities for CAS, they should keep in mind that CAS is not about “ticking off” hours to complete a task. All seven CAS learning outcomes must be fulfilled.

CAS Handbook for Guidance

CAS resources

CAS ideas

Here are some organizations looking for student volunteers. See Mrs. Schultz in the IB office for more information.