Charging Past 60
By Caleb Love and Doyun Keum Sep. 23, 2026
For the past 60 years, the school has been a place where students have learned, made memories and grown together. From the first class of 1967 to the students walking through the halls today, the school has changed significantly over the years. This year is the school's 60th school year.
Founded during San Jose's manufacturing and population boom, the school was named after Raymond B. Leland, who served as the principal of San Jose High School for 13 years, and his son Gordon Leland, who attended the school and died during World War II. Since opening its doors, the school has grown alongside the Almaden Valley, adapting as the community and expectations surrounding education have evolved from traditional education to a culture of high achievement.
The school's history was reflected during its summer reunion for the class of 1976, which brought around 35 alumni back to campus. Student volunteers led the alumni on a tour of the school, showing them how the campus has changed while pointing out what has remained the same. The volunteers also shared how education and expectations for high school students have evolved over the decades. The tour gave the alumni an opportunity to revisit their former school while seeing how the campus and educational experience has shifted since their time as students.
"We started the reunion by showing them the cheer team and fight song. Then, we held a tour around campus; they were amazed to see what had changed. The experience was memorable, but I especially enjoyed hearing their stories about how school was different for them back then," Senior Luka Karpenko said.
For many alumni, reunions offer a chance to reconnect with former peers and learn about their lives after graduation. Before social media became widespread, these events provided a way for former classmates to stay updated on one another's lives and maintain connections after graduation. Today, students have many ways to stay connected, especially with the rise of social media and messaging apps. Reunions allow alumni to revisit shared experiences and reflect on their time at the school, but because of these changes, they may not be as important as they once were.
"I think reunions will dissipate for two major reasons. Social media makes it easier to stay updated without meeting in person, and students are so focused on college that they do not always have time to build strong connections with their classmates," Activities Director Meg Walsh said.
While reunions allow alumni to reflect on their experiences at the school, the school itself has undergone significant changes over the past 60 years. Since opening, student enrollment has grown from 610 to 1,531. The campus dynamic and curriculum have shifted significantly, reflecting changes both in the school and the community.
"The school has a greater variety of classes compared to back when I went to school here. When I was a student, there weren't anyAP classes like there are today. However, we used to have more art classes and even an auto shop class. It feels like there used to be more of a balance between classes that prepare you for college and those that prepare you for jobs," Scot Gillis, Social Studies Department, said.
As the school approaches its 60th anniversary, its history continues to be reflected in both the changes to campus and the memories of those who have walked its halls. While the way students learn and stay connected has changed over the decades, reunions continue to bring former classmates back together and give them an opportunity to revisit their experiences. As the school enters its next chapter, its traditions, memories and changing community will continue to shape its future.
About the Contributors
Caleb Love
Staff Writer
Caleb Love is a freshman at Leland High School and a staff writer for the Charger Account. Caleb has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and around the world. When in America he enjoys hanging out with friends and exercising.
Doyun Keum
Staff Writer
Doyun Keum is a freshman at Leland High School who used to live in South Korea who moved to the U.S. in October of 2025. When not hanging out with his friends, he can be found texting on his phone, playing sports, watching movies, or doing homework.
Muqi Tian
Artist
Muqi Tian is a Sophomore at Leland High school, and is interested in writing a food review column for the Charger Account. She is usually found hidden in her house, either baking, drawing, reading or doing otaku activities.
Comments