Harney County Sd 3, OR - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Harney County Sd 3

Harney County SD 3 serves the full spectrum from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across a vast, sparsely populated region of southeastern Oregon. The district is made up of four schools: an elementary school, a middle school, a comprehensive high school, and an alternative high school. With a total enrollment that is modest for a countywide system, the student body is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic share and a small American Indian population. Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, nor were counts of students receiving special education services or English learner support, which limits a full read on the economic and academic support needs of the student population.

State assessment results from the most recent testing year show a pattern that warrants close attention from families considering this district. In elementary grades, English language arts proficiency reached into the mid-forties for third and fifth grade, a level that sits near the middle of the range one sees across Oregon. Fourth grade ELA proficiency, however, dropped to around a fifth of students, a sharp dip. By middle school, the numbers become a serious concern. Sixth grade ELA proficiency fell below ten percent, and seventh grade was under a fifth. Eighth grade ELA was similarly low. In mathematics, the elementary picture is mixed. Third grade saw roughly a third of students proficient, but fourth and fifth grade math proficiency dropped to about a quarter. Sixth grade math fell below a fifth, and eighth grade math dropped into single digits. A small seventh grade cohort had results suppressed due to very low counts. Science testing shows fifth grade proficiency around a third, with eighth grade science dropping into single digits. These are the weakest performance levels in the district and a parent would want to ask the school directly what interventions are in place for middle school reading and math.

The district's overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile when compared with other districts in Harney County. The chronice absenteeism rate, which exceeds forty percent, is also in the bottom quartile among county districts, a high rate of missing instructional time that likely compounds the academic challenges. The district's per-pupil current spending falls in the lower range among county districts, a fact that may shape the resources available for academic support and enrichment.

Housing in the communities served by the district is notably more affordable than the state average. Home values in the area are well below Oregon's typical price, though they have seen modest appreciation. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home is under a thousand dollars, which makes homeownership accessible for many families. Rents are moderate. The national unemployment rate was stable and near full employment at the time this data was collected.

No recent district-level changes of lasting relevance to parents were identified from public sources. No bond measures, curriculum overhauls, or property tax shifts were found. That means the district has not undergone a major visible transformation in recent years.

The schools themselves are spread across the county, with the elementary school and middle school located in the smaller town and the high school and alternative school in the larger town. This means bus travel times and school-to-home proximity will vary considerably depending on where a family lives within the district's boundaries. The alternative high school, Burns High Desert Academy, offers a different setting for students who need or prefer a non-traditional high school pathway.

For a family looking at this district, the academic picture is the primary consideration. The elementary years show some stretches of solid performance, particularly in third and fifth grade reading. But the middle school years present a steep drop in both math and English that deserves direct conversation with school leadership. The high chronic absenteeism rate is a related concern that affects the entire school environment. The district serves a rural, low-cost area where housing is attainable and the community is small. A parent who is comfortable being an active advocate and who wants close communication with teachers may find this a workable fit, but the test data makes clear that the district's academic outcomes lag significantly behind where many families would hope to see them.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

700

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 12%

White 79%

Asian 0%

Two+ 6%

Am. Indian / AK Native 3%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

33%

50%

Gr 4

11%

26%

Gr 5

27%

58%

Gr 6

10%

Gr 7

11%

21%

Gr 8

—

13%

Math

Gr 3

28%

40%

Gr 4

16%

29%

Gr 5

14%

32%

Gr 6

14%

17%

Gr 7

—

Gr 8

—

13%

Science

Gr 5

18%

45%

Gr 8

—

Schools in this District

4 schools are officially reported under this district.

Henry L Slater Elementary School

Hines Middle School

Burns High School

Burns High Desert Academy

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

5 grades reported

35%

Grade 3

25%

Grade 4

25%

Grade 5

15%

Grade 6

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

44%

Grade 3

21%

Grade 4

45%

Grade 5

10%

Grade 6

17%

Grade 7

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

35%

Grade 5

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$194,215

Year-over-year change+2.7%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$185K to $229K

vs. state typical0.39x

vs. national typical0.53x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
97720	Burns	$185K	+2.5%	78.8%
97738		$229K	+3.9%	19.8%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$980/mo

Home price / national median income2.3x

Comparison

State typical home value$501,661 (-0.7% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.