The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Math. The lowest is 36% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on South Union Elementary School
South Union Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade within the Des Moines Independent Community School District, the largest district in Iowa. The school sits in the southern part of Des Moines, a city that functions as the state’s capital and commercial center, with a downtown core anchored by insurance and financial services firms, the Iowa State Capitol, and cultural institutions such as the Des Moines Art Center. The city has seen steady metro-area growth in recent years, driven in part by data-center investment from major technology companies, and it maintains a large network of parks and trails. That broader growth context matters for families weighing the area’s trajectory, though specific new housing development near the school is not detailed in the available information.
The student body at South Union is notably diverse. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, marking a high-poverty enrollment. The racial and ethnic composition includes a large Hispanic population, a sizable white population, a significant Black population, and smaller shares of Asian students and students of two or more races. The school serves a population that reflects the broader diversity of Des Moines’s neighborhoods. Data on the share of students with disabilities or who are English learners was not available; a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the supports in place for them.
State testing results from the ISASP assessments, which cover grades three through five, provide a snapshot of academic performance. In math and English language arts, roughly half of students scored at the proficient level. Science proficiency was lower, with a smaller share meeting the benchmark. When compared with other schools in Polk County, South Union’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quartile among the county’s districts. The available data covers only a single school year, so there is no trend line to indicate improvement or decline. A parent considering the school should look into what academic interventions or enrichment programs the school operates, particularly in science, and how the school supports students who arrive below grade level.
The school’s size is moderate for an elementary, with enrollment spread across grades K through five. No information was reported on class sizes, teacher qualifications, or chronic absenteeism, all of which are factors families often ask about. The absence of that data does not imply a problem, but it is a gap worth exploring with the principal or through parent visits.
The housing market in the zip code that includes South Union Elementary shows home values that are somewhat below the statewide median, and rents that are moderate relative to incomes. The area is relatively affordable by Iowa standards, which may appeal to families looking for entry-level homeownership or stable rental options. The combination of a high-poverty school enrollment and below-average test performance is typical of many schools in urban districts that serve concentrated need. For a family that values diversity and community-rooted instruction, South Union may offer a close-to-home option within a large district that provides a wide range of resources at the secondary level. For a family focused on the highest measured academic outcomes, the school’s results would likely give them reason to investigate further.
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