A parabola in the form: ##y = a(x – h)^2+k## will open up if a > 0, and down if a < 0. Since a = -3 in your example, the parabola will open down and have a maximum at the vertex.
In the form ##y = a(x – h)^2+k##, (h,k) is the vertex. In your example, then, (-2,3) is the vertex. The maximum value is 3. Observe the graph below:



