Darryl Ford is the current Head of William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Friends Select School, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Villanova University, and he obtained Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago (Educational Administration, Institutional and Policy Studies). Prior to being voted to Head of School, he was the Middle School Director at Penn Charter for nine years. Previous to joining the Penn Charter community, he was Headmaster and Executive Director of St. Gregory Episcopal School in Chicago, a private 1st through 8th grade choir school for underprivileged boys. He serves as a board member of the Friends Council on Education, and was previously Clerk of that board. He also serves on the boards of Steppingstone, Episcopal Community Services, Children's Literary Initiative, The Greater Philadelphia Area Independent School Consortium and Villanova University.

Academic achievement and distinction, combined with extensive experience in independent school administration and organizations, are compelling qualities for a head of school and are just some of those possessed by Dr. Ford. Additional factors making Dr. Ford the ideal candidate to lead Penn Charter include: knowledge of and support for our Quaker tradition; broad-based knowledge of educational thought and practice; visionary leadership; effective communication skills individually and in groups; approachability and open-mindedness; commitment to diversity; the ability to make hard decisions; a willingness to assist in raising resources and expanding endowment; and a sense of humor. AIM~Academy In Manayunk is pleased to have Dr. Ford's guidance, experience and direction during their expansive growth, as well as during their strategic planning sessions when designing and implementing the AIM Institute for Research and Education.