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The assistant head of a Seattle private school will become the new head at Menlo School July 1, Menlo announced today, Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Nathaniel (Than) Healy, who has taught history and psychology in private schools -- and also took a year off to play professional basketball in Germany -- will replace Norman Colb, who last spring announced his plans to leave Menlo at the end of the 2012-13 school year after 20 years as head of school.

Healy began his career as a history and psychology teacher, as well as basketball and water polo coach, at Stevenson School in Pebble Beach.

In 1995, he took a hiatus from education to play professional basketball in Frankfurt, Germany, which, he said, "taught me resilience -- how to get back up and go back in."

He then returned to his own high school, Punahou School in Honolulu, where he taught history, chaired several academic departments and helped lead the girls' varsity basketball team to the state finals.

Currently he is assistant head and upper school director at Lakeside School in Seattle, where he oversees more than 500 students and nearly 100 faculty members. He also helped initiate Lakeside's Global Service Learning Program and Global Online Academy, which links programs of 24 partner schools from around the world.

Healy earned a bachelor's degree in history and psychology from Williams College in 1991, and a master's from Teachers College of Columbia University in 2001.

"We are confident that Than will build on Norm Colb's 20 years of outstanding leadership and lead us to continued success as one of the premier independent schools in the country," said Susan Ford Dorsey, chair of Menlo's board of trustees.

"During the search process, Than impressed our trustees, faculty, staff, parents and alumni with his energy, insights, collaborative leadership style and understanding of what good schools must do to prepare students to be global citizens. An innovative thinker, he demonstrates high integrity and a wonderful sense of humor -- both central to the Menlo spirit."

Established in 1915, Menlo is an independent day school serving 794 students in grades 6-12.

— Chris Kenrick

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