This paper reports on a study of civic education, conducted in a lower secondary school in Indonesia. Civic education plays an important role in students’ engagement in human rights issues, and problems which lead to active participation in society. The Indonesia government has an educational policy for the implementation of civic education in schools through curricula integration. Students study civic education to increase critical appreciation of social and human rights realities. This qualitative study was conducted using multiple methods of interviews and observations in civic education classroom. The researcher worked with the 15 students and the teacher in a secondary school in year 2. The study was conducted in the second semester of academic year 2016. In this study, teachers provided opportunities for students to engage in active learning through discussion and reflections in the case-based Learning. The process not only transformed knowledge, but also developed a mutual respect between teacher and student. The study found that civic education through case-based learning has improved students’engagement and students’ critical. It also provided the teachers to transform teaching practices. In addition, mutual respect were developed between teachers and students through the research process of providing students with freedom in their learning.