- Enrollment
- 2,364
- Students per teacher
- 26.3:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Des Moines, IA
South Union Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Union Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 45/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 190897001472
👥 S:T ratio 54
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 56
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Union Elementary School earns 45/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 84% of Iowa schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Iowa schools.
- #9 of 34
- elementary schools in Des Moines · Resource Index
- 45
- Resource Index · Typical
- 11.4:1
- small classes for Iowa
- 82.8%
- free-lunch eligible
South Union Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 84% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Union Elementary School ranks #9 of 34 elementary schools in Des Moines, IA.
School address
District: Des Moines Independent Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 190897001472 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-18 students YoY
South Union Elementary School held near 424 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-18 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 37.3 → 38.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-18 students YoY 190897001472 · Des Moines, IA Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
422 enr · 11.4:1 · 82.8% lunch · RII 45
Nearest enrollment peer: Lincoln High School (2,364 students)
South Union Elementary School held near 424 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-18 headcount). Teacher FTE added 37.3 → 38.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
South Union Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Lincoln High S
Lincoln High School
2,364 students
- Roosevelt High
Roosevelt High School
2,051 students
- East High Scho
East High School
1,952 students
- North High Sch
North High School
1,428 students
- Hoover High Sc 898
Hoover High School
898 students
- This school 422
South Union Elementary School
422 students
What this shows South Union Elementary School reports 422 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Union Elementary School compares
South Union Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 11.4:1 | ▼ 23% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 82.8% | ▲ 127% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 422 | top 30% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11.4:1
Leaner classes than 80% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
422
Bigger than 51% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
82.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 127% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
11.4:1
students per teacher
- 23% below state mean
Top 16% in Iowa - lower ratio than 84% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
45.0%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,286
per pupil, district-wide
- above Iowa avg of $13,441
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.9 FTE
Per 222 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 3 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 35.3%
White 22.7%
African American 21.6%
Two or More 10.0%
Asian 9.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 35.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 75.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 75.8, South Union Elementary School is more mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Des Moines Independent Comm School District reports $15,286 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Union Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Roosevelt High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| East High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| North High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hoover High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Union Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,051
- Students per teacher
- 31.1:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,952
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 1,428
- Students per teacher
- 21.6:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 898
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
Similar elementary schools in Des Moines
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Brubaker Elementary School
Standard public school
622 students 12:1 students per teacher
Studebaker Elementary School
Standard public school
561 students 14.8:1 students per teacher
Garton Elementary
Standard public school
535 students 14.1:1 students per teacher
Morris Elementary School
Standard public school
519 students 14.8:1 students per teacher
River Woods Elementary School
Standard public school
493 students 12.6:1 students per teacher
Jackson Elementary School
Standard public school
490 students 17.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~422 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Union Elementary School
How many students attend South Union Elementary School?
South Union Elementary School has 422 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Des Moines, IA. CCD year-over-year: 442 (2022-23) → 424 (2023-24), nearly flat (-18).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Union Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Union Elementary School is 11.4:1, which is 23% lower than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 27% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Union Elementary School?
82.8% of students at South Union Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Union Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Union Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 35.3% of enrollment, in Des Moines, IA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 75.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Union Elementary School?
South Union Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 45/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Union Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Des Moines?
By Resource Investment Index, South Union Elementary School ranks #9 of 34 elementary schools in Des Moines, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Des Moines on the city page.
What other schools are in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Besides South Union Elementary School, Des Moines Independent Comm School District also operates Lincoln High School (2,364 students), Roosevelt High School (2,051 students), and East High School (1,952 students). See the Des Moines Independent Comm School District district page for the complete list.