Elgin Academy announced this week a Bartlett man will lead the school beginning this summer.

Seth L. Hanford, has more than 20 years of experience in education and was recently named head of school. The position begins July 1.

Since 2006, Hanford’s been the assistant head of school at the academy. Prior to that, he was upper school director.

“The board and I have the utmost confidence in Seth Hanford’s ability to lead this community as it moves forward,” Board Chairman Fred Masnato said in a statement. “He is well matched to expand the range of work already underway at the school and continue its long tradition of academic excellence.”

Hanford has a master’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Before coming to Elgin, he worked as a teacher, adviser and administrator in Connecticut and Missouri.

Elgin Academy is an independent, pre-school through 12th-grade college preparatory school, located at 350 Park St. It serves many communities, mostly throughout the Fox Valley and northwest suburbs.