Photos: Hidden River Middle School Ribbon Cutting

Current and former students, staff, neighbors and family members gathered at the recently reopened Hidden River Middle School for a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony on February 10, 2026. After an 18-month construction project, the 100-year-old building welcomed students and staff back to their new-and-improved middle school in January. 

Originally built in 1926, the former Ramsey Junior High now features a new, secure entrance on Summit Avenue and design features that fuse modern and classical architecture to preserve the building’s historical features. With the school’s location on the historic Summit Avenue, the exterior design received approval from the City of Saint Paul’s Heritage Preservation Commission.

Hidden River Middle School is now the third SPPS school to install geothermal technology to heat and cool the building, and the second school to leverage the natural aquifer—the “hidden river”—under the school to fuel the system. Other energy efficiencies include high-performing air handling units, energy-efficient LED light fixtures, insulated exterior walls and roofs, and new windows to improve energy performance and comfort.

View more event photos here.