Fort Wayne, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) – As Indiana’s school voucher program begins its second year more than 8,000 students statewide are participating.

Concordia had 15 voucher students last year and added another 35, this year.

Nearly 20-percent of the state’s vouchers come from Catholic schools in the Fort Wayne/ South Bend Diocese.

Nearly 1,600 vouchers are being used in the 40+ area catholic schools.

Much of the growth has been seen in the lower grades, but Bishop Luers closed its freshman class for the first time in years.

The 8,000 vouchers is well below the limit of 15,000 for this year.