Dan Mysnyk takes helm of new head of school at Vail Christian High School
Vail Christian High School
When Dan Mysnyk arrived at college, he thought he would study medicine like his father, but soon enough he found himself drawn to mathematics and eventually shifted towards economics, where he would learn that the data matters, but it isn’t the whole story.
He would take that mindset to Vail Christian High School, where he ended up after lucky timing and a winter position as a ski instructor. It was there that he took on a teaching job and implemented the idea that education is about the people, not just the outcomes, according to a recent interview done by VCHS staff.
After 10 years at VCHS, Mysnyk is now taking on the role of head of school and has been transitioning into this role since June, before the 2026-27 school year. His most recent role was assistant head of school, where he served with his now-predecessor, Steve O’Neil, who concluded his leadership position at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
”Dan and I have worked together for the last 10 years, most recently in his role as Assistant Head of School,” said former Head of School Steve O’Neil in a recent statement. “He is proven and prepared for this next chapter. VCHS is in the strongest position in its almost 30-year history. I’m excited to watch VCHS flourish even more under Dan’s leadership.”
Mysnyk brings a mastery of academics with him, as well as years in the Christian community. The Iowa City native holds a Master of Science in Finance and Economics from West Texas A&M University, a Master of Arts in Mathematics from Tarleton State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics from Wartburg College. Mysnyk was also raised in a devoted Christian family and continues to practice his faith at the Vail Church and Trinity Baptist Church.
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”Dan exemplifies exactly what Vail Christian stands for — a love of learning, a servant’s heart, and an unwavering faith. One of his strongest attributes is his ability to connect with the students. In this culture and educational environment, I find that to be a true differentiating characteristic in an educator,” said Dan O’Shaughnessy, chair of the Vail Christian High School Board of Directors. “Having watched him invest deeply in our students and faculty during his tenure at VCHS, the Board of Trustees is confident his leadership will strengthen our academic programs, honor our mission, and carry our school community forward with vision and grace. We are excited to welcome (him) and his wife, Ronnie, into this new role within the VCHS community.”
As someone who’s been at VCHS for years, he knows what works at the school, but also where VCHS is capable of going. As part of his agenda, Mysnyk is looking at a multitude of areas that the school could strengthen. This includes getting students out in the community, keeping the momentum of the school’s athletic programs, growing the STEM programs and holding on to the foundation of faith that drives VCHS.
”I have been privileged to grow alongside the VCHS community nearly a decade,” Mysnyk said. “I have served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, co–assistant head of school, and now as the head of school. My goal is to continue building something meaningful at VCHS and to see it flourish as a strong, vibrant Christian high school.”
