THE EL RANCHO TEEN COURT FOUNDATION SEEKS TO DEVELOP STUDENTS FROM ALL DISCIPLINES A SOPHISTICATED UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION, CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND CULTURE, AS WELL AS TOOLS OF INQUIRY AND DEMOCRATIC INTERACTION. THE FOUNDATION CONSIDERS MASTERY OF CRITICAL, CREATIVE, AND INDEPENDENT THINKING, AND A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS IS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.