Community Engagement

​"Our students strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.​"

(MYP: From Principles into Practice 2014)

Community Engagement

Community Engagement is an integral part of the IB programme, especially in the MYP community projects. Students take action when they apply classroom learning in day to day life. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community, demonstrating a commitment to service so that they may make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

The Community Engagement Programme:
a 3-part process

All MYP students will be actively engaged in the following:​

  1. ​Understanding the school's commitment to Community Engagement  –  What is our role? How can we make a difference? Where does this begin?

  2. Involvement through service – becoming actively involved in the various communities and providing a service to them. A specific set of outcomes (per grade) are developed by the school and must be achieved by the student each year. 

  3. Community Engagement  – the school, through it's curriculum, develops opportunities for students to take action directly from what is being learnt in the classroom.

With appropriate guidance and support, MYP students should, through their engagement, become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth

  • Undertake challenges that develop new skills

  • Discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities

  • persevere in action

  • Work collaboratively with others

  • Develop international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding

  • Consider the ethical implications of their actions.​​​​​​​ 

    ​(MYP: From Principles into Practice 2014)​

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

AwardNL is the Dutch branch of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE), a globally recognized youth development program founded by the Duke of Edinburgh. As a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), AwardNL is dedicated to helping young people aged 14–24 unlock their potential through personal challenge, growth, and meaningful contribution to society.

The Award offers three progressive levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. At each level the students will spend time on Volunteering, Physical activity, and Skills development.
What sets the Award apart is its student-led approach: participants take ownership of their goals and progress, supported by trained Award Leaders who help them set SMART goals and track achievements via the Online Record Book.

At the International School Laren, we are proud to have launched the DofE program with an enthusiastic group of pioneering students completing their Bronze Award. Building on this success, we are excited to expand the initiative by offering the Silver Award to the entire Grade 10 cohort and the Bronze Award to Grade 9 students. The DofE structure aligns seamlessly with the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component of the IB Diploma Programme, students gain a unique opportunity to make their CAS experience even richer, more meaningful, and more personally rewarding.

A defining feature of the DofE—and what truly distinguishes it from CAS—is the Adventurous Journey. This inspiring final challenge invites students to push their mental and physical limits during a two- to three-day expedition in nature, with minimal teacher support. Carrying all essential equipment—from tents to cooking gear—students work together to achieve a shared goal while learning resilience, teamwork, and self-reliance. It’s an unforgettable milestone that builds confidence and character long after the journey ends.