What is CAS?
​Creativity, activity and service  (CAS) enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development as well as their social and civic development, through experiential learning, lending an important counterbalance to the academic rigor of the IB Diploma Program.

All IB students pursuing the full diploma must complete a CAS program which can be documented as early as the first day of junior year and continues throughout senior year for a minimum of 18 months with a reasonable balance between creativity, activity and service.

The CAS program includes documented evidence of participation in various experiences and at least one CAS project.  

​Completion of the program is determined by fulfilling the criteria above and demonstrating growth through the seven learning outcomes.

CAS Strands & Experiences

cas strands

There are three strands of CAS - the definitions are listed below.  Students should plan for CAS with a balance across all three areas.  

CAS Experiences

CAS Experiences are opportunities for students to engage in learning not covered in the traditional school day.  The experiences take place over 18 months in a variety of formats.   Some experiences can be one-day opportunities, while others take place over a longer time frame.   Engagement in long-term, meaningful work is the desired outcome for CAS, but students typically enjoy the one-day events.   As students begin to engage in long-term experiences, they are encouraged to use the stages of CAS to evaluate learning and growth.   

There is not a specific "number" of experiences required for CAS completion- although the video suggests three of each as a guide.  This is a fine place to start, but each program is unique.  The goal is NOT in counting hours or experiences.  The goal of CAS is to learn and grow through a balanced CAS program.

The CAS stages help students organize their work and ideas.  The stage are familiar to MLC students from Personal Project - they follow a natural progression starting with investigating and concluding with a demonstration.  The CAS stages are seen and part of experiences like clubs and sports, but the student will be responsible for implementing and documenting each stage in the CAS Project.   The CAS Project is a one month, student led experience with a collaborative focus.  You can learn more about the CAS Project HERE.

Learning OUtcomes

Learning outcomes define seven specific outcomes of CAS.  The outcomes are not new to MLC students - they were part of the Service as Action program.   In the CAS program, completion of CAS is defined by meeting all of the learning outcomes through an 18-month CAS program covering all three strands and a CAS Project.   You can view the learning outcomes and the definitions below.
 1. Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.
You are able to see yourself as an individual with various skills and abilities, some more developed than others, and under- stand that you can make choices about how you wish to move forward based on your understanding of your own capabilities.
 
2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
A new challenge may be an unfamiliar activity, or an extension to an existing one.  The challenge needs to be a substantial one. As with new challenges, new skills may be shown in activities that you have not previously undertaken, or in increased expertise in an established area. The skills developed need to be useful and substantial.
 
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
Planning and initiation will often be in collaboration with others. It can be shown in activities that are part of larger projects, for example, ongoing school activities in the local community, as well as in small student-led activities.
 
4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
At a minimum, this implies attending regularly and accepting a share of the responsibility for dealing with problems that arise in the course of activities. Early withdrawal from activities works against this learning outcome and should be avoided.
 
5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
Collaboration can be shown in many different activities, such as team sports, playing music in a band, or helping in a community group. Students must collaborate and undertake a CAS project of at least one month’s duration in one, two or three areas of CAS.
 
6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
You may be involved in acting upon any global issue that exists in the local community (issues include poverty, pollution, caring for the elderly, food and water access/use, education for all etc). You may also be involved in international projects either with indirect local action or traveling to be involved directly on location.
 
7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.
What is right and wrong? What are the consequences of decisions you make? Ethical decisions arise in almost any CAS activity (for example, on the sports field, in developing a stage production, in relationships with others involved in service activities). You need to show evidence of your thinking about ethical issues through your reflections and in discussions with your CAS Adviser or CAS Coordinator.

CAS Frequently Asked Questions

Does CAS count towards the full diploma?
CAS is part of the Diploma Programme "core" with Theory of Knowledge(TOK) and Extended Essay(EE).  Completion of CAS is required for the full diploma to be awarded but there are no points earned for the completion. On June 1st of the graduation year, we are required to identify each CAS portfolio as complete or incomplete.   
Is there someone who oversees my student in the CAS program?
Yes! At the MLC, Mrs. Rowe serves as the CAS Coordinator for all of the DP Candidates.   She reviews portfolios, approves experiences and supports students towards developing a personally fulfilling program. 

​Drop an email to Mrs. Rowe at strowe@crec.org 
How many hours are needed for CAS?
CAS is NOT counted by the number of hours.   Completion is awarded after a student has met the seven learning outcomes.  Student meet these outcomes through experiences related to creativity, activity and service in a program extending a minimum of 18 months in duration, including one CAS project.
  • 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
When does the CAS program begin?
CAS is introduced at the end of the sophomore year.  Work in CAS cannot begin until the first day of junior year and must extend a minimum of 18 months through the spring of senior year. 
Can I complete all of the CAS work over the summer?
No, they cannot.   Students are given explicit guidance on developing a PLAN in the first month of the school year to span involvement over the 18 months. The IB values a well-rounded student who thinks and acts creatively, shows care and concern for their community and places an importance on health and physical wellness. 

A successful CAS plan is balanced and reflects the individual students desire for growth.
Does religious activity count towards CAS
Great question - here is a link to the response!
​http://www.uaiscas.com/uploads/2/7/1/6/2716219/religion_and_cas.pdf 
CAS Questions?  

Contact the MLC CAS Coordinator  
Stacey Rowe   strowe@crec.org
​
IB Support?

Contact the
MLC Diploma Program Coordinator  
Caroline Alexopoulos   calexopoulos@crec.org