Can anyone explain the Japanese schooling system to me?

Question

Can anyone help here? I always get confused with the grades and weird names like 'freshman'. Can someone explain everything?

Answer 1

1. Kindergarten (Yochien) - up to 5 years old

2. Elementary school (Shogakkou) - aged 6-12

3. Junior high school (Chugakkou) - aged 13-15

4. Senior high school (Koukou; koutougakkou) - aged 16-18

Others:

Juku - a high intensity school for rapid learning for all ages

Answer 2

Elementary school: 6years

Junior high: 3 years

Highschool: 3 years

University: 4 years (freshman=1st grader, sophomore=2nd grader, junior=3rd grader, senior=4th grader)