Our Story

We started Principia…

with our daughter in mind. She wasn’t born yet, but we’d already heard from friends in the DC metro area how difficult it’d been to find good academic support. There were plenty of options, it seemed, but few that offered everything a parent could want.

Our goal was to provide this for parents: a single place where they could build long-term relationships with tutors and admissions consultants while exploring their students’ intellectual curiosity, building confidence, and maximizing potential. Along the way, when we were faced with tough decisions, we asked ourselves a simple question: is this what we would want for our daughter?

The answer—at least for the hundreds of families we’ve supported over the years—is a resounding yes. It starts with our team of amazing, devoted teachers—we always start by looking for energy, empathy, and excellent communication, and it’s what our parents often cite when sharing their appreciation. We’re proud to say that we’re both a family and a team, and our educational consultants are looking forward to working with your student over the long term.

Now, with nearly 40 instructors and students across the country and abroad, we still bring this hyperlocal mentality to each student, learning not just about their school, teachers, and curriculum, but also their families, communities, and lives. It’s, to us, the most rewarding aspect of our work—sharing in our students’ experiences, offering mentorship, and supporting them on their path to success.

With love and lots of erasable pens,

Oliver and Elaina