So... I started school about 18 days ago, and I started Year 9 and have entered the year of options choosing and GCSE mockup exams >.> So... ask me anything school-y, I guess.
American and European school year systems work differently. Their Year 9 doesn't quite match up with our 9th grade.
In England we have no Middle School. Just 2 years of pre-school, 7 years of Primary School, 5 years of High School, 2 years of optional college, and up to 7-8 years of optional University that costs £9,000 a year, minus additional costs for food, bills, and things you need for assignments (computers etc) Freshman means 'fresh' in High School, right? I have 2 years of High School left, so obviously not Freshman year. Year 9 doesn't match up with 9th grade in the UK, either. GCSE mockup exams, yes (They're not even hard, but according to my teachers we need to know everything about them before we start them in Year 10 )