This study investigates the structural relationships between determinants of non-cognitive abilities of
academic high school students, using representative data from Korean Education and Employment
Panel(KEEP). The structural equation modeling was employed for this study and its findings were as
follows. First, social capital within the family has a strong significant effect on students'
non-cognitive abilities directly. On the contrary, parental socioeconomic backgrounds have a negative
effect on them. Secondly, all other variables including extra-curricula activities, teacher-student
relationships, school environments, academic achievement have significant effects on the final
dependant variable, which is non-cognitive abilities. Finally, the effect of parental socioeconomic
backgrounds on extra-curricular activities was positive and statistically significant. From the results, it
can be suggested that developing various afterschool programs and school environment supporting
extra-curricular activities for all students, regardless of their family backgrounds, is required.
Secondly, it can be also implied that the efforts to improve teacher-student relationship and relevant
school programs should be implemented.