Fallbrook Union High School

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = Fallbrook Union High School | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | motto = | established = {{Start date|1893|df=yes}} | founder = Rev. William Pittenger | type = Public | district = Fallbrook Union High School District | grades = 9–12 | enrollment = 1,900 (2023–2024)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=0613530&ID=061353001545|title=Fallbrook High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref> | principal = | mascot = The Warriors | team_name = | athletics = | rival = | website = [https://www.fallbrookhs.org/ www.fallbrookhs.org] | address = 2400 South Stage Coach Lane | location = Fallbrook, California | coordinates = {{Coord|33.3650|N|117.2431|W|display=inline,title}} | colors = Red and White | sports = Football, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling | alumni = }}

'''Fallbrook Union High School''' (also referred to as '''FUHS''', '''Fallbrook High School''' and '''FHS''') is a public high school located in the rural community of Fallbrook, California. It is a part of the Fallbrook Union High School District. Established in 1893, FUHS is the second-oldest high school in San Diego County.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fallbrookhs.org/fallbrook/history-of-fallbrook-high-school|title=History Of Fallbrook High School|publisher=}}</ref> The school teaches students in grades 9 through 12.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fallbrook Union High - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education) |url=https://www.cde.ca.gov/SchoolDirectory/details?cdscode=37681220000000 |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=www.cde.ca.gov}}</ref>

==Sports== Fallbrook Union High School competes in the Avocado League and in Division III CIF. In 1986 and 2000 the varsity football team won CIF championships.

The school also competes in the boys' sports of baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling, as well as competing in the girls' sports of basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, and water polo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fallbrookuhsd.cyberschool.com/FHS/Department/17-FHS-Athletics|title=Athletics • Departments - Fallbrook High School|publisher=}}</ref> Fallbrook's girls' rugby U-18 team have been high school national champions five times: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

==History== The school was first opened in 1893 for 20 students. It was founded by Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Rev. William Pittenger. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-29 |title=Pittenger House – History |url=https://www.fallbrookhistoricalsociety.org/fallbrook-historical-society-home/museums/the-heritage-center/pittengerhouse/pittenger-house-2/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Fallbrook Historical Society |language=en}}</ref>

In 1911, the Fallbrook High School board voted for a $20,000 20-year bond for construction of a new high school.

In the 1930s, the Public Works Administration Project approved a grant of $34,000, 45% of the cost of a new auditorium-gymnasium-cafeteria, a pool and grading of a sports field.

In 1934–1938, the student body voted on the school colors of red and white. The athletic teams were named "The Warriors" in honor of the large number of Native-Americans in the student body.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

In 1939, Fallbrook Union High School was rated the most outstanding high school in the country by Chicago Farm Foundation.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

In 1946, the State Department of Education rated Fallbrook to be the best small high school in California.

In 1948, the State of California declared that the main part of the school building did not meet earthquake standards and was condemned. A new building was built the following year.

In 1953, a $325,000 bond was passed to move the school to a site south of town. The 46,000-square-foot project was delayed due to county-wide strikes by brick masons and an unusually rainy year.

In 1967, a $900,000 bond was passed to add a cafeteria, classrooms and bus-loading facilities.

In 1994, a $23 million bond to improve the facilities and to ease the overcrowding problem was approved by Fallbrook voters. The project included a new gym, performing arts center, agriculture center, media center and vocational arts buildings.

Robert Thomas also retired in 1994 and Joe Diminicantanio was appointed superintendent. Enrollment had reached an all-time record of 2,300 students.

Construction began during summer 1996 on the five new buildings. Included are a $3.3 million, 27,000-square-foot gymnasium; $5 million performing arts center; $834,000 agricultural center; $4.5 million media center and a $2 million vocational arts building. The project took almost 6 years to complete with the last building opening in the fall of 2000. The impressive Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts is a joint community-school facility and is named after Bob Burton, the Student Activities Director of thirty years.

In 1997, Diminicantanio retired and Thomas Anthony was appointed as superintendent.

As of 2007, the Fallbrook High School campus is home to a wide range of comprehensive high school offerings and is also home to Oasis and Ivy High School. Collectively the campus provides educational facilities for more than 3,000 students. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallbrookhs.org/FHS/1204-Untitled.html|title=FHS History • Page - Fallbrook High School|publisher=}}</ref>

In 2016, district residents approved issuing $45 million in bonds for upgrading classrooms and facilities and improving school security. The initiative was passed by 64.75% of voters. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Fallbrook_Union_High_School_District,_California,_Bond_Issue,_Measure_AA_(November_2016)|title=Fallbrook Union High School District, California, Bond Issue, Measure AA (November 2016) - Ballotpedia|publisher=}}</ref>

===Student population=== {{Update|date=February 2025|reason=Outdated demographics data, needs updating.|section=Demographics}}{{List incomplete|date=February 2025}} * 1893: 20 students * 1934–1938: 160 students * 1950: 244 students * 1953: 539 students * 1958: 750 students * 1978: 1875 students * 1994: 2300 students * 2007: more than 3000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuhsd.net/FHS/1204-Untitled.html|title=FHS History • Page - Fallbrook High School|publisher=}}</ref> * 2015–2016: 2071 students<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fuhsd.net/files/user/217/file/SARC%20FHS.pdf |title=School Accountability Report Card - Reported Using Data from the 2015-16 School Year |access-date=October 9, 2017 |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010104435/http://www.fuhsd.net/files/user/217/file/SARC%20FHS.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Notable alumni== * Kayla Canett, rugby union player and Olympic Bronze Medallist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pack |first=Village |title=Canett living out her rugby dreams |url=https://www.villagenews.com/story/2019/07/11/sports/canett-living-out-her-rugby-dreams/56755.html |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=Village News |language=en}}</ref> * Matt Chico, former pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Chico Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-chico-453889 |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> * John Dutton, former professional quarterback<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Dutton - Tight Ends Coach - Football Coaches |url=https://iwuwildcats.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/john-dutton/1326 |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=Indiana Wesleyan University |language=en}}</ref> * Aimee La Joie, actress<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Betty |date=2006-09-24 |title=Play that won a Pulitzer coming to FHS |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2006/09/24/play-that-won-a-pulitzer-coming-to-fhs/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817003146/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2006/09/24/play-that-won-a-pulitzer-coming-to-fhs/ |archive-date=2024-08-17 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> * Mike Leake, pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Bio: Mike Leake |url=https://thesundevils.com/player-bio-mike-leake |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=Sun Devil Athletics {{!}} ASU |language=en-US}}</ref> * Donny Lucy, former MLB catcher for the Chicago White Sox<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donny Lucy Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/donny-lucy-455113 |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> * Ryan Plackemeier, former punter of the National Football League<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-18 |title=Alumni Report: Plackemeier getting his kicks at Wake Forest |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2003/11/18/alumni-report-plackemeier-getting-his-kicks-at-wake-forest/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> * Arielle Vandenberg (Class of 2004), actress and model<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-04-05 |title=Sarah Haughey crowned Miss Fallbrook |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2004/04/05/sarah-haughey-crowned-miss-fallbrook/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> * Paula Tiso, voice-over actress, broadcast television voice-over{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}} * Howard Keel, actor and singer<ref>{{Cite book |last=Keel |first=Howard |title=Only Make Believe: My Life in Show Business |publisher=Barricade Books Inc. |year=2005 |isbn=9781569802922 |location=New Jersey |pages=24 |language=en}}</ref> * Michael Curtis, television writer and producer (''Friends'', "JONAS"){{Citation needed|date=November 2025}} * Brent Noon, shot putter<ref>{{Cite web |date=1988-04-08 |title=High Noon: At 16, He's Already One of State's Best Shots |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-08-sp-1247-story.html |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> * Janice Eberly, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and Chief Economist.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Katz|first1=Ian|title=Janice Eberly Confirmed by Senate as Treasury's Chief Economist|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-10-21/janice-eberly-confirmed-by-senate-as-treasury-s-chief-economist|website=Bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=December 5, 2017|language=en|date=21 October 2011}}</ref> * Chris Toth, professional beach and indoor soccer goalkeeper for the United States national beach soccer team and the Tacoma Stars of the Major Arena Soccer League.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christopher Zoltan Toth |url=https://beachsoccer.com/player/christopher-zoltan-toth?srsltid=AfmBOoqvHI0tGaZ7PDUkIevDqQ9tNbPEt1SXOKImK3j5BUJ_It1hXD26 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Beach Soccer Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=News: CHRIS TOTH NAMED GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - Tacoma Stars |url=https://www.tacomastars.com/news/chris-toth-named-goalkeeper-of-the-year |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=www.tacomastars.com |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}{{Education in San Diego County|state=collapsed}}{{Portalbar|Schools|California|Education}} Category:High schools in San Diego County, California Category:Educational institutions established in 1893 Category:Public high schools in California Category:1893 establishments in California