Print
Education

Tutoring Center In Wilmington Changes Hands

By Cece Nunn, posted Nov 18, 2020
Sylvan Learning Center at 4130 Oleander Drive in Wilmington was recently purchased by former public school teacher Amanda Cochran. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Cochran)
Amanda Cochran saw potential for growth in Wilmington's Sylvan Learning Center at 4130 Oleander Drive.

Cochran, the new owner of the tutoring center in the Port City, is a former public school teacher who also owns the Sylvan Learning Center in Jacksonville.

"I've actually been involved with Sylvan Learning Center since I graduated college with my teaching degree in 2009," said Cochran, who got her degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in elementary education with a minor in art history.

She left Sylvan for a couple of years to teach full time before coming back as a tutor and purchasing the Jacksonville location in 2017. 

The opportunity arose to buy the Wilmington center, on which she closed for an undisclosed amount in September. The previous owner was Kelly Conway.

"It was not something I was pursuing. I was very content with just having one center in Jacksonville, but after coming and seeing the center, I just felt like we've been very successful in Jacksonville and we could bring the Wilmington center to that same level of success," Cochran said. "I believe in Sylvan; I believe in what we do and helping children become academically successful.

"And I really wanted to see the Wilmington center grow."

The standard hourly rate for tutoring services at the Wilmington center is about $56.

As with all instruction, COVID-19 temporarily changed the way Sylvan worked.

"We had to quickly adapt to a different platform. Until then, students came to us," she said. "We tutor here in the center; we do face-to-face instruction."

The centers are now back to in-person instruction and demand is high, as parents have been able to watch their children learning from home and see the struggles.

"We've had a lot more families that are wanting their children to come to the center," Cochran said. "Online learning is great; there's a lot of resources, but there's nothing that replaces that small-setting, face-to-face instruction so we're kind of seeing a shift back to parents wanting to come back into the center to get in-person instruction."
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Burrus rob headshot 300x300

UNCW Executive MBA Students Travel to Prague For Residency

Robert Burrus - Cameron School of Business - UNC-Wilmington
Chris coudriet

New Hanover County’s Fellows Program Aims to Help Those Who Help Others

Chris Coudriet - New Hanover County Government
Untitleddesign12 11724100328

The Endowment’s Rainbow of Possibilities

Daniel B Winslow - New Hanover Community Endowment

Trending News

Sound Off: Localizing Potential Medicaid Cuts

Mouhcine Guettabi - Jun 16, 2025

Laurie Whalin On Moving Up The NHRMC Ranks

Staff Reports - Jun 16, 2025

Islands In The Stream: Independent Medical Practices Remain

Cece Nunn - Jun 16, 2025

Trends To Watch: Health Industry

Vicky Janowski - Jun 16, 2025

Behind The Lens

Staff Reports - Jun 16, 2025

In The Current Issue

Center Offers Experiential Education

Since 2009, Zac and Celine Adair have worked to provide opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom to foster personal growth and...


Live Oak Sets Small Loan Goal

"Live Oak Bank has taken several steps to build out our (Live Oak Express) team, and, to gain efficiency, has created rules and responsibili...


Startup Founder Brings Others Together

Fleming’s day job is growing his social media marketing company Socialry, which he started five years ago. He’s also a local chapter organiz...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season