Wow you sure got some crazy bad pet owners there! Im so glad you care enough not to give him up to those kind of people, because Im sure some people would give him to anyone just to get rid of him. So its good that you care enough to find him a GOOD home.
I like the school idea, I know when I was at school (high school) our science teacher had two chinchillas. We wern't allowed to really get them out or touch them (unless the teacher held them) but they were a nice addition to the class.