KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — 162 schools across the Volunteer State have shown interest in participating in the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program, commonly referred to as the school vouchers program. Four of those are private schools in the Tri-Cities.

Among the schools to show interest is St. Dominic Catholic School in Kingsport. Regan Pierce’s 2nd-grade son Elliot attends St. Dominic.

“I think that the idea that one type of school for every child works is just not a reality. Like for my son, this is where he learns best and thrives best,” Pierce told News Channel 11.

As of Wednesday, the Pierces pay tuition themselves, but she said they now plan on applying to receive a voucher through the state. She expects many families to do the same.

“I think that there [are] a lot of parents from all different classes that would like to give their child a different type of school opportunity,” Pierce said. “And I think this would be great for them to get to do that.”

Legislative analyst Alan Hampton said he expects nearly 65% of the 20,000 vouchers allotted to go to students already enrolled in private schools.

Beth Barnette, St. Dominic’s Director of Development and Admissions, agrees the vouchers will help both current and future students who want a private education. Barnette said financial assistance has always been offered, but the vouchers will be an opportunity for new families to find something she feels is not offered in public schools.

“We hold to Diocesan standards in terms of academics,” Barnette said. “But in addition to that, it is about instilling that faith, that character, or that we’re doing something. There’s a meaning behind what we do and that we are called to embrace the gifts that God has given us and then to go out and serve others.”

Barnette said only about half of the current 115 students identify as Catholic, and they accept students of all faiths into their school.

Several people have expressed their criticisms of the voucher program. One is the disparity in the number of private schools available in some counties. Another is that most private schools don’t have any special education programs and therefore not all students would benefit from the choice. Barnette admitted St. Dominic does not currently offer special education but noted that vouchers may change that.

“Right now, we do offer a certain level of intervention for students that need that extra support, but there are certainly some children that we can’t meet their needs, and [we] can’t meet the needs for everyone. So we would love to be able to do that, yes, so maybe this would make it possible.”

The other schools in the area to have expressed interest in the voucher program are St. Mary’s in Johnson City and Tri-Cities Christian Academy at both their campuses: Blountville and Boones Creek.