Black Gold at Beverly Hills High

"Oil wells are all over the place in LA," Stepenosky said. "The whole western Los Angeles area is covered. Huntington Beach schools have oil wells real close -- I think Bakersfield, Central Valley, and my understanding is that many schools in Texas have oil wells as well."

Beverly Hills vs. Hollywood Stereotype

The campus, nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, is located in the heart of Beverly Hills, just blocks from Rodeo Drive. Past students include Angelina Jolie, Rob Reiner, Alicia Silverstone, David Schwimmer and Nicolas Cage. But if you expected to find a parking lot full of flashy, gas-guzzling cars and SUVs, you'd be disappointed.

"You have to walk our hallways -- we are nothing like anyone expects," Stepenosky said. "A lot of residents send their kids here, because they want their kids to experience the diversity. We want our kids prepared for the real world."

According to Steponosky, 30 percent of Beverly Hills High students are foreign born and 39 different languages are spoken in hallways and classrooms.

"The stereotype is that it's a great school, they're rich kids, they have everything," Sorger said. "But it's the stereotype ... the reality is that it's an OK school, just like every other public school, but in a really good neighborhood."

And a part of what makes the school so affluent is the oil tower that casts a shadow over the football field. The school receives royalties from the well that go directly to the general fund.

"We get about $300,000 a year that goes into the general fund, which supports student programs," Stepenosky said. "About 85 percent of the teachers' salaries comes from the general fund as well."

A Famous School, a Famous Attorney

Though the students may benefit from the funds, there has been some controversy about the health risks.

In 2003, unemployed-mother turned famed-attorney Erin Brockovich filed a lawsuit against Beverly Hills School District on behalf of several former students, alleging gases such as benzene caused them to suffer high rates of cancer.