Former SHS Principal John Klemme Passes Away in Florida

(Updated November 2, 2024) This week we learned that former SHS Principal John Klemme passed away in Florida where he was a teacher at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach County.

Klemme was the Principal of Scarsdale High School for twelve years, and left here at the end of the school year in 2011. He led the school through some challenging times including Columbine, September 11 and the Homecoming event of 2002 which got out of control. He also shepherded the school through a controversial transition from AP to AT courses.

Read an interview with Klemme upon his 2011 departure from SHS here.

He was initially an English teacher at Oxbridge Academy in Florida but also served as their interim Head of School from 2016 to 2018.

Here is his obituary, forward to Scarsdale by Josh Klemme, John's son.

John Eugene Klemme, Jr., of Juno Beach, Florida, passed away at his home on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the age of 75. He was born on July 9, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late John Eugene, Sr., and Ruth Ann “Patricia” (Ellis) Klemme. John earned three degrees from Wayne State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Masters of Arts in English, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.

John devoted his life to secondary education, serving for over 50 years in varying roles in Michigan, New York, and Florida, and touching the lives of thousands of students. In Michigan, he taught Advanced Placement and honors English, and served as English department head and speech and debate coach at Wylie E. Groves High School in Birmingham, before taking the position of Assistant Principal at the newly formed Birmingham Covington School. In 1998, he joined the nationally-renowned Scarsdale High School in New York as Principal, where he served for 11 years.

John completed his career as an original faculty member at the Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches in Florida, where he returned to the classroom, served as interim Head of School for two years, and finished his tenure as English Department Chair and Honors Seminar English teacher. John was instrumental in the creation of the popular Cambridge Scholars Program, an ongoing 10+ year partnership between Oxbridge and Cambridge University, and was the namesake of the annual John Klemme Arts and Literature Award.

John loved the arts and humanities – particularly opera, musical theater, English literature, and renaissance and modern art. Over his life, he was the recipient of multiple fellowships, from the National Endowment for the Humanities to Northwestern University.

John’s other love was his family. He is survived by his son, Josh; daughter-in-law Kristen; foster son, Adam Levi; grandchildren, Alden Klemme, Violet Klemme, Leland Klemme, and Lily Klemme; former partner Adrienne Meyer; and brothers, Ted Klemme and Sam Klemme. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Patricia, and his sister Dawn.

John was a fundamentally kind, generous soul with complex interests and a deep appreciation for human thought and expression. He will be remembered by so many for the guidance and empowerment he gave and his depth of caring for the futures of both his loved ones and his students.

Following cremation, a celebration of John’s life will be held in the Palm Beach area in early 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Metropolitan Opera Endowment, which provides funding for productions, broadcasting, education, and capital projects – enabling the growth of this institution John loved. Interested parties may donate here:

Here is a letter from Oxbridge about his tenure there.

Dear Oxbridge Alumni Community,

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved English Department Chair and Honors Seminar English teacher, Mr. John Klemme, who has served the Oxbridge Academy community with dedication, wisdom, and compassion since our founding in 2011.

Mr. Klemme joined Oxbridge Academy after retiring as the principal of Scarsdale High School in New York, driven by his enduring love for teaching. Throughout his career, he inspired countless students and faculty with his passion for literature and the Great Books—timeless works like Dante’s Inferno, Aeschylus’s The Oresteia, Shakespeare’s King Lear, and Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. Mr. Klemme taught students not only to read and understand these classics but also to love and appreciate them. He believed that literature elevates our understanding of the world. Many of his former students credit him with transforming how they read and interpret books, often describing him as the teacher who had the most significant impact on their writing and speaking, helping them become more insightful and precise thinkers.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Klemme was instrumental in establishing the Cambridge Scholars Program in 2014, forging an exclusive partnership with Cambridge University. Each year, this rigorous two-week course allows 15 qualified juniors to study British history and literature at one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Through this program, Mr. Klemme helped students engage deeply with complex ideas and hone their critical writing and analytical skills. His work on the Cambridge program has left students with a lasting appreciation for history, literature, and the interconnectedness of global issues.

From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Klemme also served as Oxbridge Academy’s interim Head of School, leading the school with integrity and a strong commitment to students, faculty, and staff. As a colleague, he was one of the kindest individuals—always known for his warmth and generosity. He loved opera, Broadway theatre and his family. He cherished his son and grandchildren, proudly sharing their photos whenever possible.

Mr. Klemme’s influence and unwavering commitment to academic excellence have helped shape our school’s mission, growth, innovation, and success. His legacy is woven into the fabric of our school, and his impact on everyone who knew him is profound. He will be deeply missed, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who were touched by his wisdom and kindness.

We will keep you updated regarding any services.