Fountainview Academy is parochial boarding secondary school, located 17 miles south of Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada. It enrolls approximately 85 students in grades 10–12, primarily from the United States of America and Canada, but students also come from other countries, such as Korea, Germany, and Iceland. It has a youth orchestra and choir and all students are required to participate in one and/or the other. The school is closely affiliated with but not owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Philosophy of education
The book Education by Ellen G. White provides the principles which guide the Academy. "Fountainview Academy strives to achieve its mission through a balanced program of vocational training and study. Each student is required to attend approximately 25 hours of classes and 18–20 hours of career and technical training each week as a means of translating theory into practice in the individual’s life."
Work experience and service activities
The high school includes an organic carrot farm which in 2008 was the largest producer of organic carrots in the province of British Columbia. The Adventist Church historically strongly advocated that students gain vocational training experience as part of their education. The carrot farm provides the students with such practical work experience. Students also meet their weekly career and technical training requirement by being assigned to various departments in campus development and upkeep, digital media, janitorial, cafeteria, or the office.
Controversy
Fountainview Academy has come under fire from previous students accusing administration of engaging in the illegal practice conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ students. The practice, while banned in Canada and discredited by the scientific community, has gone largely unchallenged in the face of Adventist anti-LGBTQ+ theology. Students allege that these highly destructive practices have contributed to negative mental health outcomes even after leaving Fountainview Academy. This has stoked controversy because LGBTQ+ Adventist youth are among the highest risk minority populations in the denomination. Conversion therapy's practice at the academy is even more alarming in light of a 2019 Parliamentary report from the University of British Columbia showing that 1-in-3 Canadians who had undergone conversion therapy later attempted suicide. On January 7, 2022, Canada banned conversion therapy on minors and adults nationwide, with violations carrying up to 5 years in prison. The ban raises further questions about the actions of Fountainview Academy as the new law outlines it is a criminal offence for "everyone who knowingly causes another person to undergo conversion therapy", according to the Canadian Criminal Code Section 320.101.
About Fountainview Academy Music
We exist to empower young people with tools and skills for music ministry and share the love of Jesus with the world. Each student at Fountainview Academy is involved in our music program and together we have performed all over Canada, the United States, Europe, and around the world. We have also been blessed to film multiple music DVDs and had them broadcast worldwide via satellite.
Each year Fountainview performs multiple concerts throughout Canada and the US in churches, schools, concert halls, and a variety of other venues.
Genesis
Fountainview media productions were born out of a desire to reach more people than our physical tours make possible. Combining beautiful scenery with compelling music creates a powerful tool to portray God’s love for us.
