Below Average
#1105 of 1,280 schools in IA
South Union Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
4201 South Union, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,105 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#30 of 64
public schools
In district
#26 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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South Union Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Park Ave Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Union Elementary School
South Union Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. South Union Elementary School serves approximately 424 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Union Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,105 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for South Union Elementary School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at South Union Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Union Elementary School — Students at South Union Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.
How South Union Elementary School Compares
See how South Union Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4201 South Union, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Union Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 2.6 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.1 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.3 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,036
Median Home Value
$164,000
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
35,349
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hoover Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 4.3 |
| Hoover Elementary School West Branch, IA | 4.3 |
| Truman Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.3 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
| Wilson Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.2 |
| Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona, IA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Union Elementary School
What grades does South Union Elementary School serve?
South Union Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend South Union Elementary School?
South Union Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Union Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Union Elementary School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Union Elementary School rank in IA?
South Union Elementary School ranks #1,105 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Union Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Union Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Union Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Union Elementary School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Union Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Union Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Union Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Union Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Union Elementary School?
81.1% of students at South Union Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 424
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.6%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8409
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #26 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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