It is widely known that BFA’s English department teaches students to write in the traditional MLA format. However, there has been discussion about whether or not it is a useful tool for students to learn because APA is the dominant writing form in colleges. 

There are many differences between MLA and APA formatting: APA focuses on scientific studies and writing. It emphasizes works that are researched and summaries. MLA format, on the other hand, caters to the humanities. Mr. Keith Carlton, the head of the English department, said that MLA “formatting emphasizes authors, pages, and quotes.” MLA and APA are used in different departments because of their differing focuses in formatting. 

Mr. Richard Szymanski, a psychology teacher, said that the way APA is “structured gives insight into psychology.” Although APA isn’t taught in high school, it is useful for the scientific departments in colleges because the format helps with replicability and emphasizes ever-changing research. Because the sciences are primarily based on data, new studies must be done every few years. Each study builds on the others as information is compiled. Mr. Szymanski said that APA is a “continuous, sensible narrative on how things have changed.”

MLA is taught to students in 9th and 10th grade at BFA, and is further enforced in students’ later years in their English classes.