What is CAS?

CAS is about the education of the whole person, and, therefore, the three elements of Creativity, Action and Service are interwoven. Together, they enable a student to recognize that there are many opportunities in life, away from formal academic study, to grow in knowledge of life, self and others. Participation in the arts, sports and community service activities encourages young people to share their energies and special talents while developing an awareness of the world around them and an ability to work cooperatively with others to improve communities and the world.

C—Creativity

Creativity is interpreted as imaginatively as possible to cover a wide range of arts and other activities outside the normal curriculum. The imaginative design and implementation of a service project may be interpreted as creativity.

A—Action

Action can include participation in expeditions, individual and team sports and physical activities outside the normal curriculum. The implementation and execution of a service project may be interpreted as action as well as participation in school clubs.

S—Service

Service is community or social service. Service activities should not only involve doing things for others but also doing things with others and developing a real commitment with them.

Incorporating the Service element can enhance both Creativity and Action.

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How does the CAS program work?

During the IB years (junior and senior years), each IB student shall complete a minimum of 150 hours in the three areas of the CAS program: Creativity, Action and Service. Successful completion of the CAS program is a requirement of the IB Diploma Programme.

The student shall design his or her own program, which must first meet with the approval of the CAS Coordinator. Each program shall contain activities from all three areas, with a minimum of 40 hours dedicated to each of the three areas (Creativity, Action and Service), for a total of 120 hours. The student may allocate the remaining 30 hours according to his or her individual interests.

Activities should be active, avoiding a preponderance of passive pursuits such as attending films or viewing art. The student should avoid scheduling too many lessons, such as violin or tennis instruction, and should place emphasis on the development of new skills, not simply practicing skills already acquired. The student shall document his or her accomplishments with signatures from supervisors, coaches, club sponsors, et al.

The student shall organize his or her CAS program with a CAS diary, which will be the guidebook, planning resource, record and means of communication over the two years of the program. Additionally, he or she will be asked to submit entries to the diary on a regular basis and to meet with the CAS Coordinator to discuss his or her progress throughout the junior and senior years. Students should maintain a pro-active stance throughout the CAS program by visiting with the CAS Coordinator on a regular basis, keeping track of all records, filing documentation in the CAS diary periodically, and being responsible for ensuring that all CAS requirements for graduation are met.

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How does a student begin?

In the spring of your sophomore year, the student shall design a CAS program using the CAS Preliminary Plan form and reflecting his or her interests. The student may change his or her plan at any time, as long as those changes meet the CAS guidelines and have the permission of the CAS Coordinator.

Once the overall plan has been approved, the student must record each individual activity on the CAS Activity/Project Approval Form (located at the bottom of this page)and submit it to the CAS Coordinator prior to starting the activity or project. This form provides valuable information, such as the location and supervisor of the CAS activity. This form will be kept in the CAS diary along with subsequent documentation supporting the activity or project. If there is any deviation from the pre-approved activity or project, the student must notify the CAS Coordinator immediately to ensure that the activity or project stays within the CAS guidelines.

The activity or project supervisor works with the student, is responsible for signing off for the student's hours, and provides an evaluation of the student's performance. The activity or project supervisor cannot be related to the student.

The student shall maintain an Activity Sheet (Personal Log and Self-Evaluation/Reflection) throughout the term of each project. The student should record the hours spent on the project on this sheet; he or she should also take pictures and collect other types of evidence of his or her experiences in the activity or project.

The student should address the following at the end of each activity or project, either answering on the Activity Sheet (Personal Log and Self-Evaluation/Reflection) or write a reflective, continuous text incorporating responses to these questions.

  • Summarize what you did in this activity/project and how you interacted with others.
  • Explain what you hoped to accomplish through this activity/project.
  • How successful were you in achieving your goals? What difficulties did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
  • What did you learn about yourself and others through this activity/project? What abilities, attitudes and values have you developed?
  • Did anyone help you to think about your learning during this activity/project? If so, who helped and how did they help?
  • How did this activity/project benefit others?
  • What might you do differently next time to improve?
  • How can you apply what you have learned in other life situations?

The activity supervisor should complete the CAS Activity/Project Supervisor Evaluation Form (located at the bottom of this page) at the end of the activity or project. This form may be mailed to the CAS Coordinator, or the student may bring it to school for the supervisor.

The completion of the Activity Sheet (Personal Log and Self-Evaluation/Reflection) and the CAS Activity/Project Supervisor Evaluation Form will be used to award CAS hours according to the original Preliminary Plan or with modifications if previously approved.

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What are the deadlines?

Step Deadline
Complete CAS Preliminary Plan

 May 20
of the Sophomore Year
Begin the CAS Program

 Summer before the Junior Year
Submit Activity/Project Form
with Self-Evaluation/Reflection

 After each Activity or Project
Complete and Document
at Least the First 75 Hours of CAS

 June 1 of the Junior Year
Complete and Document
the Remaining 75 Hours of CAS

 March 1 of the Senior Year
Review CAS Program
with CAS Coordinator

 March 1 through April 15 of the Senior Year
Final Verification
of CAS Program Hours

 April 15 of the Senior Year
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How does one know when one has completed the CAS requirements?

The student should make a point of meeting with the CAS Coordinator on a regular basis so the student is assured he or she is continually meeting the CAS requirement throughout his or her junior and senior years. The CAS Coordinator will maintain a record of successfully documented hours. The Coordinator will not award hours without the completion of the self-evaluation/reflection component and the supervisor's evaluation form.

When the student has completed the CAS requirements, he or she will recieve a copy of the CAS/SFS form from the CAS Coordinator, outlining the activities and projects in which the student has been involved and the number of hours awarded. At this point, the studnet shall write a one-page, clear and complete critical reflection on his or her entire CAS experience. Once the CAS Coordinator has reviewed this essay, the student will receive a document acknowleging the completion of his or her CAS requirements.

What if one has more questions?

The CAS Coordinator is always available to answer questions, help with planning a CAS program or discuss the status of a CAS program. Remember: the student is ultimately responsible for meeting the CAS requirement. The CAS Coordinator will work with students in helping them meet this goal. Contact Ms. Meador ( MEADOCEL@cps.k12.va.us ) with your questions.

Three Easy Steps to CAS Success

Approve

Approve your CAS activities with the CAS Coordinator before completing the hours. Use common sense when considering an activity to meet the CAS requirement. If you are unsure, ask!

Document

Log your hours as they are completed. Do not try to reconstruct the hours after they have been completed. Establish a CAS scrapbook where you keep flyers, pictures, programs, logs, performance summaries, and anything else that shows your involvement. Your documentation is critical when it's time to confer your CAS hours.

Reflect

Reflect on your CAS experience every few weeks and especially at the conclusion. Without the reflection, the CAS experience is not finished.

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Examples of CAS Activities

Creativity

  • Chrysler Museum
  • Contemporary Art Center
  • Debate Team
  • Drama Production
  • Foreign Exchange Programs
  • Foreign Language Clubs
  • Forensics
  • Miss OFS
  • Model United Nations
  • National Honor Society
  • ODU Ballet
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Private Lessons: Voice, Musical Instruments, Martial Arts, etc.
  • School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Performances
  • School Newspaper and Yearbook
  • Virginia Ballet Theater

Action

  • Academic Challenge
  • Animal Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Volunteers
  • Junior and Senior Class Projects
  • Little League Coaches, Referees and Umpires
  • Pals for Peers
  • Peer Tutoring
  • School-Based Committees
  • School Clubs: Art Club, Baywatchers, Chess Club, Marketing Club, etc.
  • School Sports: Basketball, Cheerleading, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Track, etc.

Service

  • Adopt-a-Highway
  • American Cancer Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Boy and Girl Scouts
  • Church Mission Projects (non-religious projects only)
  • Easter Seals
  • Elementary School Enrichment Programs
  • Goodwill Industries
  • March of Dimes
  • Retirement and Elder Care
  • Salvation Army
  • Virginia Living Museum
  • WHRO Public Television
  • Young Men's or Women's Christian Association
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Forms