Creativity, Action, and Service

In the TCIS high school division, all International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Diploma candidates are required to complete 150 co-curricular hours called “CAS” within the two-year program. All graduating seniors regardless of whether they are IBO Diploma candidates, beginning with the Class of 2007, must also have completed 150 CAS hours within their 11th and 12th grade years. “CAS” refers to activities that address Creativity, Action, and Service. TCIS’ and the IBO’s goal is to educate the whole person and foster more caring and socially responsible attitudes as students reach beyond themselves and their textbooks. The elementary and middle schools will soon be adopting the IBO PYP and MYP programs will have some form of CAS student requirement.

CAS should extend students. It should challenge them to develop a value system by which they enhance their personal growth. It should develop a spirit of open-mindedness, lifelong learning, discovery and self-reliance. It should encourage the development of new skills on many levels including creative skills, physical skills and social skills.

High school 11th and 12th graders must attain 50 hours each in three elements of CAS, Creativity, Action, and Service, in order to reach the graduation and IB Diploma requirement of 150 hours. Examples of Creativity involve doing dance, theatre, music, and visual art. Examples of Action could involve participation in individual and team sports, student government, and physical activities outside the normal curriculum. The Service element could be the most meaningful and transforming to the student. The emphasis is on molding the “global citizen” and on interaction between individuals and groups in the local and global community. Examples include mission work camps, orphanage and hospital visits, and tutoring.