Students returning to The Harbor School, a private academy for fourth- through eighth-graders, will notice a number of new faces this fall.

James Cardo, though not new to the school, recently took over as head of school. Cardo has taught English at The Harbor School for the past decade, and last year he shared administrative duties with business manager Caroline Matter after the former head of school was let go. He continued to teach English at the same time.

“It was a very busy year for me,” Cardo said. “It wasn’t a fully sustainable model.”

Cardo said he was excited to focus his efforts as the full-time head of school. Caroline Matter will not return in the fall. 

The school has also hired three new teachers for the 2011-2012 school year. Cardo said the school’s seven-person teaching staff hasn’t seen that much change in a decade.

“It’s a major turnover,” he said.

Cardo said he believes the three young women will be positive additions to The Harbor School staff.

“We’ve got three very motivated teachers,” he said.

Zoë Hughes, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., will teach science and will move with her family into a home in the Roseballen development. 

Erin McAllister of West Seattle will teach in the lower school. Students, however, will meet her as Erin Blaser, as she plans to marry this summer. 

Kristen Spangler, who has taught at Harrisburg Academy in Pennsylvania, will replace Cardo as the school’s English teacher and will also move onto the Island this summer.

The school also plans to hire a new part-time math teacher.

The Harbor School’s enrollment continues to be low due to the poor economy, with fewer than 50 students enrolled for the fall, Cardo said. However, he added, school officials are excited about what the new staff members will bring and will  focus on continuing to provide a quality education to students.

 “What we really try to concentrate on is that we have a great product and that our alumni do well,” he said.