Throughout its history, Lowell has had unique and close relationships with the University of California and Stanford University. When the University of California first opened its first campus in Oakland in September 1869, Lowell (Boys' High School) began to evolve its curriculum to prepare students for the college. From its inception, the University was to have a special relationship with its unique secondary school feeder in San Francisco. Boys' High School quickly became seen as a stepping-stone to college. Of the University of California's first six graduating classes (1873-1878), over a third had attended Boys' High School. William T. Reid, the high school's fourth principal, later became the president of the University of California.