After serving as a public high school, a cluster middle school and then a magnet middle school, Rippowam became a public middle school in 2001. Located on High Ridge Road in front of the Academy of Information Technology + Engineering, Rippowam is equipped with its own auditorium, cafeteria and media center. Headed by Principal George Giberti, Rippowam is committed to "promoting academic excellence within a safe, nurturing environment that is responsive to the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of the adolescent child."