Introducing fractions in 9th grade is not typical in the US either. I would charitably guess the commenter is mis-remembering or there were special circumstance

Introducing fractions in 9th grade is not typical in the US either. I would charitably guess the commenter is mis-remembering or there were special circumstances, like it being a remedial course for kids who were far behind in their academic achievement. Usually it’s around 2nd or 3rd grade, though I don’t recall exactly as I’m not an educator and my kids aren’t that old yet.