About Principia Education
Principia Education is a tutoring, test preparation, and college admissions consulting company based in McLean, Virginia. Founded in 2017, Principia Education serves students throughout Northern Virginia in person and families nationwide online.
How We Started
We started Principia with our daughter in mind. We heard the stories from friends in the DC area — how hard it was to find academic support that was not only effective, but personal. There were plenty of options out there, but few that offered everything a parent would truly want: consistency, quality, and care.
So we built the kind of company we’d want for our own family — a place where long-term relationships matter, intellectual curiosity is nurtured, and students are guided with both warmth and strategy. At every stage, when faced with big decisions, we asked ourselves one simple question: Is this what we would want for our daughter?
Years later, the answer is still yes.
How We’ve Grown
Our instructors and consultants are chosen first for their empathy, energy, and communication. They don’t just teach; they mentor. And they don’t just understand the curriculum; they take the time to understand the student behind it: their goals, their story, their spark. Whether we’re working with a seventh grader just beginning their journey or a senior finalizing essays, we bring a hyperlocal approach to each student, learning not only their schedule and school but also their family, community, and values.
Today, Principia works with a team of nearly 40 educators—you can meet the full team here—supporting students across the country and abroad. But our founding mindset remains the same: this work is personal. We’re proud to be a team, a community, and a part of your family.
With love (and plenty of erasable pens),
Oliver & Elaina
Our Journey
2017 — Founded Principia Tutors
We began in McLean with a simple goal: provide exceptional, highly personalized academic tutoring and test preparation.
2020 — Became Principia Tutors & Consultants
As our work expanded, so did our name. We became Principia Tutors & Consultants, reflecting the growing role of college admissions consulting alongside our tutoring and test prep programs.
2026 — Rebranded as Principia Education
Nearly a decade after our founding, our work spans academic tutoring, test preparation, college admissions consulting, and long-term educational guidance. We became Principia Education—a name broad enough to encompass everything we do today.
Your Questions, Answered
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Yes. We've operated continuously since 2017 — first as Principia Tutors, then Principia Tutors & Consultants, and today as Principia Education. Same team, same McLean, Virginia location, just a name that's grown alongside us.
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We've been supporting students and families since 2017.
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We're based in McLean, Virginia, and our office is located in McLean Professional Park. We work with students throughout Northern Virginia in person, as well as families nationwide and internationally online.
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While we're based in McLean, we work with students throughout Northern Virginia in person. Many families drive to us from nearby Arlington, Falls Church City, Vienna, or even Loudoun County. Other families choose to work with us online, and avoid all of the DMV traffic.
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We focus on long-term relationships, not one-off sessions. Our instructors and consultants take the time to understand each student's goals, learning style, and story. Learn more about why families choose Principia.