"From a future career point of view, is one certification CFR 141 or CFR 61 better then the other"

No, nobody cares. I like 61 for it's flexibility. The only reason to go 141 is if you're VA, which you're not, or if you're favorite school happens to only use 141.

I'd max out on a home study course, now, if you can fit it in. No need for formal ground school class, unless your school requires it for some strange reason.

When I was in senior in high school, I got a teacher (PPL rated) to sign me off on independent study for one period a semester. I took that time to study for my PPL and the grade I got on the written was the grade I got on my report card. Got school credit for it.

Talk to your physics teacher....

Let us know how the flight school search goes this weekend. We could give you feedback.