When Bogalusa’s Annunciation Catholic School kicked off its 2012-13 school year on Aug. 8, some new smiling faces were among the student body, there courtesy of vouchers awarded through the Louisiana Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program.

The seven voucher students accepted at Annunciation include four kindergarteners and three second graders, Principal Veda Matthews said.

The new Annunciation students hail from a variety of locations, with some coming from each of the public school systems in Washington Parish and some from the school’s own preschool program, Matthews said. Under the rules of the voucher program, children entering kindergarten could apply from any source, making eligible those who were already in the Annunciation pre-K program, she said.

Depending on enrollment for 2013-14, there is a possibility that more voucher spots could be added next school year, Matthews said.

“We’re not going to overcrowd any rooms, but we’ll just have to look at the numbers next year, the enrollment numbers,” she said.

The transition to Annunciation has been a successful one for the students attending the school through the voucher program, Matthews said.

“The children have blended right in,” she said. “They’re doing very well, and the families are extremely appreciative. And we’re just glad they’re here. They’re part of our family now.”

Annunciation was the only school in the parish that participated in the program this year.