For a high school basketball coach, success is measured in numerous ways. By every one of those metrics, Scott Stine of Arbor Preparatory High School in Ypsilanti has been a tremendous success.
Wins and losses? Check. Student-athletes sent to college? Check. Impacting young lives in a positive way? Check.
Stine has been coaching at Arbor Prep since the charter school opened in the fall of 2011. He spent six years as an assistant coach before taking over at head coach in 2017. In his eight seasons as head coach, Arbor Prep went 158-47 and won three state championships, including back-to-back state titles the last two years.
Stine has also seen 24 of his Arbor Prep players go on to play in college, including Mya Petticord, who was one of the stars of the Rutgers women’s basketball team this season.
For his efforts, Scott Stine has been named the May 2025 #MICharterHero. He was presented with the honor by MAPSA President Dan Quisenberry at a surprise ceremony at the school.
“The sports accomplishments are obvious,” Quisenberry said in presenting the award. “I have to use the word ‘dynasty’ and it’s great seeing your girls at the State Capitol every year being honored for winning those championships. We know that you do so much more for your students. You’re also a dean, you’re the athletic director and you impact those young lives every day. You’re truly a Michigan charter hero.”
Stine said he was humbled by the award and has loved working and coaching in the charter school world.
“I am honored to be given that award,” he said. “I think charter schools definitely are an important thing. Back in the ’90s, the State of Michigan allowed charters to happen and it’s something that needs to stay in law. Parents deserve the opportunity to pick where their kids go to school. Charter schools offer a lot of unique things and parents deserve that choice.”
Stine, who also serves as athletic director and dean at Arbor Prep, said he’s been honored to be leading the Gators all these years.
“I’ve been blessed to be at Arbor Prep and have some special athletes and I’m just grateful for everything that's happened here,” he said.
Located just south of Ypsilanti, Arbor Prep opened in 2011. The charter high school is authorized by Bay Mills Community College and managed by National Heritage Academies. The school is one of the best in Washtenaw County, both academically and athletically. In the most recent Niche state rankings, Arbor Prep was named one of the 15 best charter high schools in the state.
Stine, who was also named the Division 3 Coach of the Year this season, has been an integral part of the school’s success both on and off the court.
As a proud charter school educator, Stine also helped set the record straight during the state playoffs this season when a rival coach whose team had just lost to the Gators mistakenly gave the impression that Arbor Prep wasn’t a public school.
Stine responded to the controversial comments with pure class, pointing out that Arbor Prep is a public school in every way and that his players (most of whom are from Ypsilanti) are public school students.
“I’m just so proud to have been a part of a program that produced like hundreds of girls at this point who are out in the real world being productive,” Stine said. “That’s what we’ve preached all along.”
Know a Charter Hero?
Nominations for the 2025–26 school year #MiCharterHero Awards are open. If you know an educator, leader, or staff member who goes above and beyond for Michigan’s public charter school students, follow this link to nominate them today!
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