Very Good
#281 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 22% in state
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
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#5 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#190 of 662
In district
#3 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About South Union Elementary School
South Union Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, specifically in Polk County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 424 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, ensuring each child receives ample attention and support. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, South Union Elementary aims to provide a solid educational foundation for its young learners.
The school’s academic performance is currently rated at the 30th percentile in Iowa, with room for growth in state rankings. Students demonstrate proficiency rates of 45% in ELA/Reading, 43% in Math, and 40% in Science, indicating areas where additional focus could lead to improvement. South Union Elementary School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Des Moines, fostering a community environment that encourages learning and engagement.
While specific neighborhood details are not available, the school remains committed to nurturing its students' development and academic progress.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at South Union Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
South Union Elementary School — Students at South Union Elementary School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How South Union Elementary School Compares
See how South Union Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 38% (2022).
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. River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.0 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 2.8 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Union Elementary School has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bellevue Elementary School Bellevue, IA | 7.4 |
| Buffalo Elementary School Buffalo, IA | 7.4 |
| Franklin Elementary School Boone, IA | 7.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 7.4 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames, IA | 7.4 |
| Mulberry Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #281 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Union Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Union Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Union Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Union Elementary School has 42.9% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 25 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 31 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 24 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8409
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #3 of 59
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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