CAS / Service Learning

Learning through action, reflection, and community CAS & Service Learning at Hiroshima International School

At Hiroshima International School, service is not an add-on, it is part of who we are. Through CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) in the Diploma Programme and Service Learning across the school, students learn to take action for others, for themselves, and for the planet. Our programs are grounded in our PEACE values and the unique context of Hiroshima, a city of peace and resilience.

What is CAS?

In Grades 11 and 12, all HIS students participate in CAS: Creativity, Activity, Service. CAS challenges students to:
Discover and develop personal interests and passions

Set goals and persevere through challenges
Take meaningful action in their communities
Reflect on their growth as learners and global citizens

CAS at HIS is student driven and guided by IB learning outcomes. Each student designs a balanced program that includes:

Creativity
Arts, innovation, and problem solving, such as music ensembles, drama productions, visual art, digital design, and student-led clubs.
Activity
Healthy movement and physical challenge, including sports teams, outdoor pursuits, fitness goals, and personal wellness projects.
Service
Responsible action that responds to real needs, such as peer tutoring, environmental projects, local partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy.

Service Learning Across the School

Service learning is a thread that runs through PYP, MYP, and DP. It connects classroom learning to the world beyond the school and helps students see themselves as capable of making a difference.
Across the school, students:

Explore local and global issues through age-appropriate units
Identify needs in their class, school, or community
Plan and carry out actions, both small and large
Reflect on impact, challenges, and next steps

Service learning at HIS is:

Purposeful – clearly linked to curriculum and real needs
Student centered – driven by student questions, interests, and agency
Reflective – focused on what students are learning about themselves and others
Collaborative – often done in teams, alongside teachers and community partners

Action Week: Learning By Doing

Action Week is a highlight of our Service Learning and CAS program. During this dedicated week, normal timetables pause so students can engage in extended, hands-on experiences that combine creativity, activity, and service.

During Action Week, students might:

Work with local organizations in Hiroshima on environmental, social, or cultural projects
Participate in peace and remembrance activities unique to our city
Join outdoor and experiential learning trips that build resilience and teamwork
Design and lead workshops or activities for younger students
Take on personal or group challenges linked to CAS goals

Action Week helps students:

Deepen their understanding of community needs
Build empathy and cross-cultural understanding
Develop leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
Experience the satisfaction of sustained, meaningful action

Learning Outcomes and Reflection

Throughout CAS and Service Learning, students are supported to reflect on:

Their strengths and areas for growth
How they set and achieve goals
How they collaborate with others
How they respond to challenge and uncertainty
How their actions connect to issues of peace, justice, and sustainability

Reflection may take the form of journals, photos, videos, presentations, or conversations with advisors and mentors. These reflections help students make connections between their experiences and the IB Learner Profile.

Student Leadership and Voice

Student agency is at the heart of CAS and Service Learning at HIS. Students are encouraged to:

Initiate their own clubs, projects, and campaigns
Take leadership roles in planning events and Action Week activities
Partner with local and global organizations
Advocate for causes that matter to them

Teachers and CAS Advisors guide and support, while students take ownership and learn to act with integrity and responsibility.

Family and Community Partnerships

Our CAS and Service Learning programs are strengthened by our partnerships with:

Local community groups and NGOs
Cultural and environmental organizations in Hiroshima
Alumni and parent volunteers

Families support students by:

Encouraging reflection and balance
Sharing expertise, networks, or ideas for service
Attending events, performances, and exhibitions of student work