This study explored the factors which affected elementary students' happiness in school life by
a two-level HLM model using the data from the first wave year(5th grade) of Korean Educational
Longitudinal Study 2013. As results of analysis, parents’ academic support as family
characteristics was related with elementary students’ happiness in school life, and for student
characteristics, the factors which were closely related to students’ academic abilities such as
academic achievement, creative thinking ability, self-management skills, reading enjoyment degree,
class attitude, class concentration had positive effects on the students’ happiness in school life. In
addition, students’ positive self-image, relationships with friends, teachers, and parents, sense of
community related with personality, after-school activity participation, and class president
experience had significant effects on their happiness in school life. Also, the students in schools
having good class atmosphere, teachers showing educational enthusiasm, invigorated career
education, safe environment without school violence, and located in cities seemed to be much
happier in school life. Based on these results, several policy implications were suggested.