International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

CAS: Creativity, Action, Service Program

What is CAS?

The purpose of the CAS program at University High School is to provide a program of experiential learning for IB Diploma students, one that includes creativity, action and service.  All IB students must complete 150 approved and verified CAS hours in order to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma.  IB students are encouraged to exceed beyond the minimum 150 CAS hours required during the junior and senior years making meaningful contributions through a broad range of activities.   

• Creativity is interpreted as imaginatively as possible to cover a wide range of arts and other activities and to include creativity by the individual student in designing and carrying out service projects.

• Action can include participation in expeditions, individual and team sports and physical training; it can also include carrying out creative and service projects as well as training for service.

• Service is community or social service; it can include environmental and international projects.

Rationale 

• IB students, because of their talents, have much to offer, so it is right that they should give of themselves to their community.  A properly balanced and adequate number of CAS activities can permit an equal opportunity for creativity, action and service within the community.

• Service should not be viewed as “just a requirement” to gain an IB Diploma.  IB students are, in fact, pioneers and catalysts in a worldwide movement of service.

• Students must be progressively stretched by problems they are tackling, with the expectation of progressing to more demanding tasks.  CAS provides students with the opportunity for experiential learning outside the classroom, to stretch themselves in more than academics. 

Requirements

1.      IB students will meet with the CAS Coordinator as needed:

·        Check PAWS email for meeting notices.

·        Meetings will be held during lunch in Mrs. Holden’s office, H213. 

 2.      To receive credit for service hours:

·         CAS forms must be turned in within the same six-weeks grading period as when the service was performed.  See due dates below.

·        CAS forms that are turned in late during another grading period will be accepted with penalty.

CAS Deadlines