CAS – Creativity, Action,
Service
CAS Coordinators
Rossitsa Anastassova
David Stephenson
Erica Neal
Class of 2023 talking about CAS
Projects
What is CAS?
Anyone with a passing knowledge of the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) knows that it is a rigorous academic curriculum that spans the final two years of high school. Successful completion of the IBDP ensures that students are well-prepared for university.
But a brain full of knowledge isn’t all there is to being an educated individual. The ancient Greeks believed that a well-educated person engaged not only in mousike (intellectual and creative development) but gumnastike (one’s physical development). This educational philosophy has stood the test of time, and the IB’s “CAS” program ensures that students come out of the two-year IBDP with such a holistic education.
CAS is the non-academic piece of the IB curriculum. It stands for “Creativity, Activity, Service.” In its effort to provide a truly well-rounded education, the IB added CAS to get students to close their books, turn off their computers and put away their phones in order to engage in service activities, athletics, and creative pursuits.
Students are encouraged not only to follow their interests, but to experiment with new activities, as well. Indeed, they invariably must extend themselves and become “risk takers” (an IB learning trait). For example, a sporty student who doesn’t think of himself as creative will reflect on what creative avenue he might follow. The thought “I like to eat” could lead to cooking lessons, learning some knife skills, and resulting in some tastefully-plated dishes that are photographed and uploaded to his reflections on the activity. (The written reflections are a key part of the CAS experience.)
On this page you’ll see some examples of what our students do for CAS.
News
A Parent’s Reflection on Data Privacy
November 8, 2024The other day, I watched my kids discuss building an underground Minecraft bunker, debating the merits of obsidian versus bedrock. As I listened, my mind drifted back to Mr. Loney’s typing class circa 1988. I vividly remember sitting in Grade 9, learning to use an electronic typewriter—keys covered with masking tape to enforce proper form—and...
Read moreCreating Special Moments
November 1, 2024“I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color.” – Wednesday Addams, the “Addams Family” In case you missed it, yesterday was Halloween. As a child and teen and young adult, Halloween was not one of my favorite holidays. It became a favorite once I had my own kids, but before that I...
Read moreAdopt The Platinum Rule
October 24, 2024As you know, my family and I are new to AAS and Bulgaria. We are just now finally starting to feel more settled in our home and routines. The last couple of months have really been focused on meeting people and understanding how things work in our new world. We know we are far from...
Read moreThe Wisdom of ‘AND’
October 9, 2024“So…is that your new mantra?” my son asked a few weeks back. “What do you mean?” “Well,” he responded, “you’ve said ‘AND’ like four times in our conversation. So, is that your new mantra?” Poor kid. He’d been surviving my sayings for a couple decades. He had just got past me overusing the word “YET.” ...
Read moreMemories Are Made Of This
September 27, 2024Our intrepid AAS Secondary School students explored beautiful Bulgaria this week on their Cultural Trips. A number of students asked their teacher-chaperones if there was any way their adventures away could be extended! Perhaps you saw them? Were they in front of you in the queue to taste chocolate at the Plovdiv chocolate museum? (Grade...
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