Service Learning Through Community Service
At International School Bangkok (ISB), we strive to cultivate globally minded, socially responsible individuals who contribute positively to their communities. This is where our service learning program comes in.
What Is Service Learning?
Service learning is a teaching and learning approach that connects meaningful community service with instruction and reflection. It integrates academic goals with real-world service opportunities, encouraging students to apply what they have learned in class to support and uplift the world around them.
Community Service
Community Service is a key part of the high school service learning experience at ISB. It involves making a difference through actions of caring for others, either in the school or in the community. It includes:
Direct service: Interacting with and helping individuals or groups directly, from tutoring students to participating in clean-up projects
Indirect service: Working behind the scenes for the benefit of others, whether organizing donation drives or fundraising projects
Advocacy and research: Raising awareness or investigating solutions to social and environmental issues.
Adapted from the State of Maryland definition of Service-Learning
Community Service Expectations
Grade 9 and 10 students at our international high schoolare required to join at least one ISB service club or council to meet their service experience requirements. In order to fulfill the service requirements, students must actively participate and demonstrate commitment by attending most meetings and providing evidence of their involvement in the club’s activities/events. Students with special circumstances can speak with the CAS & Service Learning Coordinator.
Grades 11 and 12 will use the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)of the IB program as their guide, as they maneuver all the expectations of their academics and co-curricular activities.
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)
The CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) is a mandatory component of the ISB high school service learning curriculum for Grades 11 and 12. The CAS program offers a structured way to engage in personal and social growth by providing opportunities to develop their creativity, physical fitness, and commitment to community service.
Creativity refers to the development of artistic, musical, or other creative skills, such as writing, painting, filmmaking, or drama. In the CAS program, students are encouraged to engage in creative activities that challenge them to explore their talents and develop new skills.
The activity focuses on physical fitness and well-being. Students are required to participate in sports, outdoor activities, or other physical activities that promote healthy living and an active lifestyle. Activities may include team sports, individual sports, fitness classes, or outdoor expeditions.
Service involves volunteer work and community service. Students engage in meaningful service projects that benefit their community or society as a whole. Service projects may include working with children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, as well as participating in environmental conservation projects.
The CAS program aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are not only academically competent but also socially responsible and active members of their communities. By engaging in creative activities, physical fitness, and community service, students are encouraged to develop their interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and a sense of social responsibility. Students are expected to participate in community service every year during their high school careers at ISB.
Examples of Community Service
Students can get involved in service activities such as teaching MS students through our Peer Tutoring Program, participating in our annual Junior Special Olympics, or teaching adults through our club, English Service Project. They can raise money and awareness for those in financial need, join our annual Operation Smile mission, work with our Bumble Bee Free Community Library, and participate in many other initiatives. Students can also volunteer to help local communities near ISB. The opportunities are endless and organic as students take the lead to organize, plan, and initiate new projects and events every year.
Community Service Graduation Requirements
In 11th and 12th grade, students are expected to successfully complete the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) program. To graduate from ISB, students must actively engage in service, which includes reflections on and verification of their commitment to community service experiences. A student must demonstrate commitment to community service experiences through continuous involvement over time. If students commit to an experience by planning with others, take that plan into action, and demonstrate their commitment over time, they’ll gain much more in the process.
Current Community Service Opportunities at ISB
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is service learning, and how is it different from volunteering?
- How does high school service learning support academic growth?
- What are some examples of service learning in high school?
- How can my child find service opportunities at ISB?
- Why is reflection important in service learning?