The Harbor School’s Board of Trustees has recently hired Mark McGough as the new head of school.

Scott Shawver, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees, said McGough (pronounced McGoff) was the “overwhelming favorite” after a search that brought in more than 20 applicants, both nationally and internationally.

A search committee narrowed that pool down to three finalists, and with input from the wider Harbor School community, including parents, students and alumni, it endorsed hiring McGough. The board’s decision to appoint him was unanimous, Shawver said.

McGough, slated to begin July 1, currently heads The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences, a private school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, in Vancouver, Washington.

Noting that the Harbor School values travel study, Shawver said that McGough’s international experience is particularly welcome. He has served as the head of school in Milan, Italy, and has been an administrator and teacher in several international schools abroad, including Namibia, Tanzania, Germany and Malaysia. McGough is a native of Great Britain and earned his undergraduate degree and his Master of Arts degree in international education in the United Kingdom.

In a school press release, McGough provided a statement about his new position and noted he is eager to come to Vashon.

“I was so impressed with the level of parent participation and alumni support that I saw at both Harbor School and Carpe Diem during my visit — it shows a great love for the students, faculty and programs,” he said.

The school has been operating without a head of school since James Cardo’s departure in September. Norine Martinson has served as the acting head of school, Shawver said, and he credited her, the teachers and faculty with the smooth operations at the school this year.

“I have no doubt with a head of school, it will be even better,” he said.