With 171 students, Northport Public Schools has fewer kids in kindergarten through 12th grade than Okemos High School has in its marching band alone. Mackinaw City has 187 students; Alba, 174; Stanton Township, 138. All are tiny. All are poor -- as judged by the percentage of students receiving federal free lunch assistance. And all scored better in 4th grade math than larger, richer school districts across Michigan.