Darrick Pettiford has been appointed principal of Candor Elementary School. He brings with him a strong commitment to equity, academic excellence, and student success.

Since 2017, Pettiford has served as assistant principal at Northeast Guilford High School, where he focused on expanding equitable access to advanced placement (AP) courses. Through his leadership, enrollment in AP courses increased by more than 12% across student groups. His efforts contributed to the school meeting and exceeding academic growth expectations. Pettiford was recognized as a finalist for the 2023 Assistant Principal of the Year, a testament to his dedication and impact in the field of education.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English education from North Carolina A&T State University. He also earned a certificate in school administration and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Pettiford is excited to join the Candor Elementary community and looks forward to partnering with staff, students, and families to support a thriving school environment.