BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford School Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of a new high school principal.

Jeremie Sirois, an assistant principal at York High School, will take the top job at Biddeford High School on July 1. He will replace Britton Wolfe, who announced in February he was leaving for personal reasons.

Sirois lives in Biddeford with his wife and two young sons. Before joining York High School eight years ago, he taught English at Saco Middle School.

Superintendent Jeremy Ray said the school department received 21 applications for the position and five candidates were interviewed. Part of the interview process included a team of 14 teachers, parents, students and administrators from across the city, he said.

During a visit to York, “we were thoroughly impressed” by what that district’s administration, teachers and parents said about Sirois, Ray said.

“Everyone raved about the connections he’s able to make with people and kids,” Ray said. “We feel he’s going to bring energy to the school.”

Ray said the school department was aggressive in its search for a new principal so it wouldn’t have to compete later with other schools looking for new principals, including South Portland, Bonny Eagle and Scarborough.

Wolfe will continue to lead the high school until Sirois takes over this summer.