What is CAS?

Within the IB Curriculum, topics and ideas have the opportunity to change, develop, and even evolve to best fit the learning needs of students. The Creativity, Activity, and Service learning model (CAS) is an example of just that. Globally, the CAS Program started out as an arts course offered to students, but now it has taken shape as one of the compulsory elements of the IB Diploma Programme. 

The three pillars of the CAS Program allow students to enhance their personal and interpersonal skills through experiential learning. The first pillar, creativity, focuses on the less structural side of learning. Art and any experience that requires creative thinking falls under this specific category. Activity provides students the opportunity to contribute to a healthy lifestyle that compliments the topics and lessons students learn in the classroom. Finally, service teaches students to voluntarily exchange their time to give back to certain programs, charities, or to advocate for public issues by sharing their voice. The CAS Program highlights advocacy as an essential component of service. 

The CAS Project is an important piece of the CAS Program. Completed during Grade 11 or 12, students create a project, normally an event, that requires planning, creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. Some students chose to carry on past CAS Projects, creating well-loved traditions at ISI, or introduce completely new events. 

“Students are able to take leadership positions and participate in the process of organizing from the beginning stages until the end,” CAS Coordinator Jenny Howell said. “They learn to delegate, compromise, communicate and reflect. Generally the CAS Project is an opportunity for the students to engage in a project that is meaningful to them and they feel passionate about it.”

Throughout the year, students complete CAS Projects that help connect the school, from leading Patriot Day or Black History Month planning to arranging the Timmy Club Fun Run or the Upper School Futsal Tournament.