Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) is a public high school in Fountain Valley, California, USA. It was established in 1966 and is a part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. It is notable for its rivalry with Edison High School, particularly during the American football season when both schools compete in the "Battle of the Bell". For the first few years after opening, the school had a larger student population than any other high school west of the Mississippi with approximately 4,300 students. Due to the large student body, school days were split into two shifts, mornings for underclassmen and afternoons for upperclassmen. Over the years, enrollment decreased due to various factors, including the opening of Edison High School in 1969. The athletic teams are known as the Barons and the school colors are red, blue and gold. The school had to renovate some of its buildings, which were sinking, starting in 2002. These renovations yielded new portable buildings in an area that was previously a parking lot. In 2006, these semi-permanent portable buildings were replaced with permanent facilities. In March 2011, the track and football field were renovated. The dirt track was replaced by a synthetic track and the field was replaced with new natural grass. The field has since been replaced by imitation grass and turf. The school's marching band, called the "Royal Regiment", represented California at Ronald Reagan's 1981 inaugural parade. "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" was played by the marching band as hostages were released from the American embassy in Tehran. In fall 1996, a scene from the 1997 film Wag the Dog was filmed at FVHS during a basketball game and used the 1997 graduating class as extras. In March 2005, the school drumline and band was filmed in Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" music video. In April 2007, the school was recognized as a California Distinguished School for the second consecutive time. The school is renowned for its vocal music program and the advanced choir, called the "Troubadours", which has performed at conferences and conventions. Leadership List of principals: Paul Berger19661979 (founding principal) Larry Lucas19791980 David Hagen19801985 Mike Kasler19851991 Gary Ernst19912000 Connie Mayhugh20002004 Chris Herzfeld20042014 Kirk Kennedy20142015 Morgan Smith20152021 Paul Lopez2021present Academics Advanced placement Fountain Valley High School has an advanced placement (or AP) program which allows high school students to study college-level course work. Nearly every AP course available is offered at