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D−

South Union Elementary School

PublicElementaryGrades K–5

4201 South Union, Des Moines, IA 50315 · (515) 242-8409 · Part of Des Moines Independent Community School District

Des Moines’ School Grade D− better than 2% of Iowa school districts

Students
422
Students per teacher
12:1
Free or reduced lunch
85%
Setting
City
Grades
K–5
The gist

What stands out about South Union Elementary School

  • Its own letter, D−: reading and math results near the bottom of Iowa’s public schools
  • Math proficiency 28 pts below the state
  • Reading / language arts 34 pts below the state
  • Small classes: 12 students per teacher
  • Next stop for Des Moines kids: 10 middle schools

On the path

Where Des Moines kids come from and go next. The whole path →

K–5South Union Elementary SchoolYou are here
6–810 middle schoolsDepends on your address

Test scores

2020–21
Math proficiency36%
State average 64.2%
Reading / language arts34%
State average 67.8%

Its own letter, D−, places these results among Iowa’s 1,177 public schools with results. Source: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

4201 South Union, Des Moines

Students

Enrollment by grade
Kindergarten58
Grade 177
Grade 284
Grade 371
Grade 457
Grade 575
Enrollment over time
439’20
446’21
442’22
424’23
422’24

Down 3.9% since 2020–21.

Who goes here
Hispanic 35%White 23%Black 22%Two or more races 10%Asian 10%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%

As reported to NCES, share of students with a reported race or ethnicity.

Parents talk

Questions and answers about South Union Elementary School from Des Moines families.

Other schools in Des Moines Independent Community School District

The district →

School facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), 2024–2025 school year. Test scores: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21). A school’s letter is our own summary of its reading and math results against Iowa’s other public schools; Des Moines’s School Grade is built from its districts’ results. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.