South Union Elementary School

Summary:

South Union Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 442 students from kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District. The school faces significant challenges, with consistently lower academic performance and a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger compared to the district and state averages.

South Union Elementary School has a diverse student population, with 26.47% White, 23.3% African American, 29.86% Hispanic, 11.76% Asian, 0.9% Native American, and 7.69% two or more races. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by ISASP test scores, is consistently lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 38.5%, compared to 43.1% for the district and 64.2% for the state. The school has also consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of Iowa elementary schools, with a ranking of 528 out of 557 schools in the 2023-2024 school year.

Despite the school's low academic performance, South Union Elementary School has a relatively high per-student spending of $14,822 for the 2018-2019 school year, which is higher than the state average. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.9 to 12.1 over the past three school years. These factors suggest that the challenges faced by the school may lie in areas beyond just funding and resources, such as curriculum, instructional strategies, or school climate. Comparing the school to nearby Jefferson Elementary School, which has significantly higher proficiency rates and a higher statewide ranking, highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the educational strategies and resources at South Union Elementary School to address the underlying issues and improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public K-5

4201 South Union
Des Moines, IA 50315

(515) 242-8409

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
528^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,822

Students who attend South Union Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Lincoln High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.8

Number of students: 442

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

29.9%

White:

26.5%

African American:

23.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 88.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details South Union Elementary School ranks worse than 94.8% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 26^th among 38 ranked elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.96. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details South Union Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Union Elementary School is $14,822. 32 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

South Union Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Des Moines Independent Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Des Moines Independent Community School District 301^st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for South Union Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	11.73	586^th	626	6.4%
2013	13.11	578^th	624	7.4%
2014	5.62	578^th	603	4.1%
2015	6.74	580^th	616	5.8%
2016	12.12	546^th	599	8.8%
2017	1.82	565^th	574	1.6%
2018	1.83	558^th	567	1.6%
2019	1.75	598^th	603	0.8%
2021	6.19	544^th	567	4.1%
2022	3.81	558^th	574	2.8%
2023	5.59	541^st	565	4.2%
2024	6.96	528^th	557	5.2%

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South Union Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2007	417	56	35	41	3	n/a	n/a	552
2008	386	79	36	69	2	n/a	n/a	572
2009	380	71	35	74	0	n/a	n/a	560
2010	320	65	36	105	2	0	23	551
2011	305	64	40	129	2	1	30	571
2012	279	57	45	133	2	0	29	545
2013	286	59	39	146	1	4	36	571
2014	262	74	42	137	2	6	39	562
2015	249	54	38	141	2	0	36	520
2016	243	50	48	126	2	1	34	504
2017	226	71	46	131	3	1	35	513
2018	198	83	54	126	2	1	30	494
2019	183	89	60	124	1	1	30	488
2020	183	98	60	124	1	1	33	500
2021	150	83	55	122	1	0	28	439
2022	137	94	53	130	1	0	31	446
2023	117	103	52	132	4	0	34	442

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Union Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2007	552	38.2	14.5	59.1
2008	572	37.8	15.1	64.2
2009	560	39.5	14.2	65.5
2010	551	40.4	13.6	72.2
2011	571	37.5	15.2	76.7
2012	545	39.5	13.7	80.7
2013	571	37.0	15.4	81.6
2014	562	38.6	14.5	77.4
2015	520	38.0	13.6	83.3
2016	504	39.0	12.9	85.7
2017	513	36.6	13.9	85.4
2018	494	37.0	13.3	87.9
2019	488	36.3	13.4	88.3
2020	500	38.4	13.0	89.8
2021	439	40.1	10.9	87.5
2022	446	36.8	12.1	89.2
2023	442	37.3	11.8	88.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Union Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2007	552	38.2	14.5	59.1
2008	572	37.8	15.1	64.2
2009	560	39.5	14.2	65.5
2010	551	40.4	13.6	72.2
2011	571	37.5	15.2	76.7
2012	545	39.5	13.7	80.7
2013	571	37.0	15.4	81.6
2014	562	38.6	14.5	77.4
2015	520	38.0	13.6	83.3
2016	504	39.0	12.9	85.7
2017	513	36.6	13.9	85.4
2018	494	37.0	13.3	87.9
2019	488	36.3	13.4	88.3
2020	500	38.4	13.0	89.8
2021	439	40.1	10.9	87.5
2022	446	36.8	12.1	89.2
2023	442	37.3	11.8	88.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Union Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,433 (9.7%)	$13,389 (90.3%)	$14,822

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Union Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 598^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 541^st of 565 Elementary schools	3.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Union Elementary School)	39.2	42.4	3.2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	44	43.3	0.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (South Union Elementary School)	39.2	50	10.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	52	52.1	0.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South Union Elementary School)	32.2	50.7	18.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	49.7	52.4	2.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (South Union Elementary School)	41.1	45.1	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	50.9	47.6	3.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (South Union Elementary School)	27.8	43.9	16.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	46.5	49.5	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (South Union Elementary School)	34.7	40.4	5.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	48.4	51.6	3.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	488	442	9.4%
African American	89	103	15.7%
American Indian	1	4	300%
Asian	60	52	13.3%
Hispanic	124	132	6.5%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	183	117	36.1%
Two or More Races	30	34	13.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	88.3%	88.7%	0.4%

Schools Near South Union Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)			ISASP Mathematics (2024)			ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
South Union Elementary School	Public	K-5	4201 South Union	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8409	442	37	11.8	88.7%	117 (26.5%)	103 (23.3%)	132 (29.9%)	52 (11.8%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.7%)	7	528^th of 557 public elementary schools	5.2%		5.6	541^st of 565 public elementary schools	4.2%	13	38.5	51.6	44.8	55.8	37.1	53.7	31.3	$14,822	$1,433	$13,389
Park Ave Elementary School	Public	K-5	3141 SW 9th St	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8429	378	29	13.2	80.4%	164 (43.4%)	56 (14.8%)	109 (28.8%)	13 (3.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (9.0%)	4.4	540^th of 557 public elementary schools	3.1%		6.5	534^th of 565 public elementary schools	5.5%	6	39.2	28.6	37.1	54.9	37.5	44.4	38.1	$16,460	$1,357	$15,103
Lovejoy Elementary School	Public	K-5	801 E Kenyon Ave	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8419	365	32	11.4	89.3%	94 (25.8%)	87 (23.8%)	117 (32.1%)	39 (10.7%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.8%)	4.1	542^nd of 557 public elementary schools	2.7%		4.6	544^th of 565 public elementary schools	3.7%	2	24.1	50.0	41.9	49.1	33.3	45.2	35.5	$17,256	$2,903	$14,353
Howe Elementary	Public	K-5	2900 Indianola	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8413	297	25	11.9	88.6%	78 (26.3%)	68 (22.9%)	105 (35.4%)	27 (9.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (6.1%)	11.2	506^th of 557 public elementary schools	9.2%		15.7	501^st of 565 public elementary schools	11.3%	5	28.0	48.6	54.0	46.0	43.2	64.0	40.0	$16,527	$1,727	$14,800
Wright Elementary School	Public	K-5	5001 SW 14th St	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8442	273	20	13.4	83.2%	120 (44.0%)	33 (12.1%)	81 (29.7%)	7 (2.6%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (11.4%)	21.3	466^th of 557 public elementary schools	16.3%		4.1	547^th of 565 public elementary schools	3.2%	81	60.6	38.5	55.3	69.7	53.8	50.0	52.6	$15,928	$1,243	$14,685
Jackson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3825 Indianola Ave	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8415	406	29	14.2	80.5%	90 (22.2%)	77 (19.0%)	153 (37.7%)	59 (14.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.7%)	10.2	512^th of 557 public elementary schools	8.1%		13.8	512^th of 565 public elementary schools	9.4%		38.2	55.0	47.3	48.5	63.3	52.7	28.4	$15,448	$1,376	$14,072
Morris Elementary School	Public	K-5	1401 Geil Avenue	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8421	444	36	12.5	87.6%	162 (36.5%)	77 (17.3%)	164 (36.9%)	14 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.1%)	9.4	516^th of 557 public elementary schools	7.4%		7.7	530^th of 565 public elementary schools	6.2%	14	35.4	50.0	52.5	35.4	55.4	55.9	37.3	$16,468	$1,455	$15,012
Jefferson Elementary School	Public	K-5	2425 Watrous Ave	Des Moines	50321	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-8416	338	23	14.8	49.7%	220 (65.1%)	29 (8.6%)	51 (15.1%)	10 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	25 (7.4%)	49	341^st of 557 public elementary schools	38.8%		55	283^rd of 565 public elementary schools	49.9%	58	66.0	68.0	77.6	75.5	72.0	69.4	49.0	$13,945	$622	$13,323
McKinley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1610 SE 6th Street	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8423	285	24	11.9	89.5%	77 (27.0%)	33 (11.6%)	128 (44.9%)	17 (6.0%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (9.8%)	8.1	519^th of 557 public elementary schools	6.8%		6.5	535^th of 565 public elementary schools	5.3%	16	31.7	41.7	54.5	39.0	52.8	57.6	33.3	$18,844	$1,470	$17,374
River Woods Elementary School	Public	K-5	2929 SE 22nd St	Des Moines	50320	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8433	496	39	12.6	89.7%	51 (10.3%)	97 (19.6%)	224 (45.2%)	95 (19.2%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.0%)	7.7	521^st of 557 public elementary schools	6.5%		18.7	489^th of 565 public elementary schools	13.5%	32	41.7	44.3	45.6	47.2	31.6	61.8	33.8	$15,278	$1,674	$13,604

Frequently Asked Questions about South Union Elementary School

How many students attend South Union Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 442 students attended South Union Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of South Union Elementary School?

Students at South Union Elementary School are 30% Hispanic, 26% White, 23% African American, 12% Asian, 8% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of South Union Elementary School attend?

Students who attend South Union Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Lincoln High School

Is South Union Elementary School a good school?

South Union Elementary School ranks in the bottom 5.2% of Iowa elementary schools.

What district is South Union Elementary School in?

Des Moines Independent Community School District

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.