South Union Elementary School

4201 South Union
Des Moines, IA 50315
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 442 students in grades Kindergarten-5, South Union Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 33% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 38% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 28% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 442 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 74%
  • : Bottom 50% in IA
  • : 33% (Btm 50%)
  • : 38% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

South Union Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

School Overview

South Union Elementary School's student population of 442 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
442 students
This chart displays total students of South Union Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of South Union Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of South Union Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of South Union Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

South Union Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Union Elementary School is 0.78, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#1200 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of South Union Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
33%
64%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of South Union Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
38%
70%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of South Union Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
35-39%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of South Union Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of South Union Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
12%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
30%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
23%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
26%
72%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
8%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South Union Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
0.78
This chart displays the diversity score of South Union Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
83%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in South Union Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Union Elementary School's ranking?
South Union Elementary School is ranked #1200 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
33% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 38% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
How many students attend South Union Elementary School?
442 students attend South Union Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
30% of South Union Elementary School students are Hispanic, 26% of students are White, 23% of students are Black, 12% of students are Asian, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of South Union Elementary School?
South Union Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does South Union Elementary School offer ?
South Union Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is South Union Elementary School part of?
South Union Elementary School is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is South Union Elementary School located?
South Union Elementary School is located in the Magnolia Park neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 442 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 74%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 33% (Btm 50%)
  • : 38% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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