One of the many forms of education homeschoolers use to meet and exceed the educational standards set by the state include distance learning. Distance learning is primarily accomplished using online classes, where the student communicates with the teacher via the Internet, email, and the telephone. Public school students may not realize this, but they may also utilize distance learning to help them get ahead in public school or to catch up if they are behind.
Public school students often make the mistake of thinking that they have to study whatever the guidance counselor puts on their schedule, and nothing more. I too made the same mistake when I was in high school. I wanted to learn to speak French, but there was not enough space in my schedule for that and art. Art won out. So I never learned French.
Thanks the the wonders of the Internet, students can now add a class or two to their mandated workload with or without the permission of their guidance counselor. If you want to add a foreign language, add it. If you want to study a science discipline not available at school, do it. If you want to explore Law or Economics before you make a career decision, go for it.
Depending on what program you use for your distance learning classes, your school may even give you credit for these courses, meaning you can cut out some electives you may not be interested in at school. Even if the school does not give you credit, you can create an additional transcript to send to your prospective college showing how you went above and beyond the scope and sequence required by your school.
While you are at it, let your prospective colleges also know about after school sports activities, hobbies that you have spend a great deal of time on, and clubs you have joined outside of school.
Public schools are meant to set a minimum, not put limits on what you are able to learn. Homeschoolers know this, and now you do to. Some of the places you can look to take distance learning courses are online curriculum administered by your state or county that may or may not be free. Online homeschool curriculum programs will allow you to take just one or two classes at a time. Online college courses, especially at private colleges will allow a high school student to take dual enrollment courses online.